Taxis targeted as part of London air quality scheme

London taxi drivers are to be targeted as part of a London scheme to improve inner-city air quality.

According to the London Evening Standard, environmental marshalls will patrol busy areas such as King's Cross and Liverpool Street stations telling taxi drivers to switch off their engines when they are idle.

Black cabs in the city are responsible for a quarter of London's potentially dangerous airborne particles.

The Department for Transport will also sanction signs encouraging motorists to switch off their engines when they are not on the move.

Transport for London, which is aiming to get the backing of freight operators in the city, said: "We want to work with drivers not against them, which is why some of the eco-marshals are former cabbies themselves and know the challenges faced."

Recently, Friends of the Earth claimed that London's air quality record was "shameful" and urged the government to address the issue immediately.

Speaking to the Guardian, one of the charity's campaigners said as well as boosting life expectancy, improving London's air quality will help tackle climate change.

Posted by Claire Manning