Alleyns School coaches idling

[RubyGraeme]

Two coaches parked in Townley Road with engines running, drivers standing around drinking hot drinks, pupils playing hockey on nearby pitch. Driver asked why I was taking pictures and I explained about air quality, near a school, the Mums For Lungs organisation. He explained that if they turned off the engines they'd "have to wait for the air to fill up again". I'm afraid I laughed at this and said that was nonsense. He told me he hoped I get run over. 

I can't attach the clip but can share the reg numbers.

If there's anyone who can tell me how to escalate this and share the footage? 

[exdulwicher]

Complain to the school and the council environmental / health team. As they're commercial vehicles you can also report them to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA): https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-standards-agency

It's a common problem - one driver a little while ago said "oh it's OK, the pollution just blows away". Those coaches have been an absolute bane of the area for years - yes I get that it stops a thousand cars or whatever but they're a law unto themselves. 

And the school won't even consider options like having a pull-in on their land to get them off the road and they don't seem bothered about enforcing the No Idling signs.

[first mate]

Are the coaches in some way licensed by the council and paying to park there?

1 hour ago, RubyGraeme said:

He explained that if they turned off the engines they'd "have to wait for the air to fill up again"

What on earth was he on about? 
 

[march46]

Here’s the email address recommended from Alleyn’s website. I would cc. your local councillors also. 

[malumbu]

I phoned them up a year or so ago, a coach was idling outside school, they helpfully had their number on the board by the entrance, and they took immediate action.  Please go direct to the responsible organisation, rather than resort to social media in the first instance.  

[Rockets]

32 minutes ago, first mate said:

1 hour ago, RubyGraeme said:

He explained that if they turned off the engines they'd "have to wait for the air to fill up again"

What on earth was he on about? 
 

Air brakes - but I doubt you need to be idling for a long time to get the pressure to a level where they will work.

[alice]

This has been going on for years and years the school colludes with the coach drivers

[Earl Aelfheah]

It's really annoying and has been an issue for years.

[malumbu]

Disagree, they took action.  I've regularly walked past there when the coaches are parked and only seen one idling in recent times.  As said I phoned them and they came out to speak to the driver.  More effective than going onto social media

It is an offense under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and Regulation 98 of the Road Vehicle Regulations 1986 to leave your vehicle's engine running unnecessarily while stationary

[march46]

It shouldn’t rely on members of the public repeatedly raising it though. It is an ongoing issue and has been for many years.
 

Just today there was a Foundation Coach idling on East Dulwich Grove, whilst also blocking the 37 & 42 bus stop. The Foundation Schools need to get a better handle on their coaches. 

[malumbu]

Vehicles left idling is a wider problem than one private school.  Action is rarely taken, some authorities have campaigns, but you never get critical mass.  I used to be vociferous about this, and would have shared views in the old days on the Lounge, but eventually knocking on car doors and asking them to turn their engine off just got too much.  The police were some of the worse offenders,  I videoed a police car with the doors open and four cops eating takeaway with the engine running on summer's day in central London.  That is the "I give up moment".

It's totally daft but indicative of how, for some, behaviours are entrenched.  I was therefore pleased that on the one occasion Alleyn's did take action.

If you have any answers to addressing this across the country then I would be most interested.  I responded to a motoring journo once, who said when he was test driving a car, the first thing he did was turn the stop start  off.  Probably considered by some, and maybe the masses, to be "woke nonsense".  Back to the 'war on motorists' populist rubbish.  Oh, I deleted that post on another thread.

[Earl Aelfheah]

Both things are true. There is a problem with Alleyn's coaches, but it's a problem more generally too. It amazes me how many people just sit, parked in their cars with the engine running, especially outside schools.