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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 6 March 2009

Cllr James Kempton

Residents fuming as pollution from stationary buses persists

THE campaign against running bus engines gathered strength this week after residents of Camden Road clambered on board.
The Tribune reported two weeks ago how residents living near bus stands in Highbury Corner had sent a petition to Transport for London (TfL) pleading with them to force drivers to switch off their engines while waiting at bus stands.
Residents complain the noise and vibrations are disruptive and they are sick of the polluting fumes. Now Camden Road residents – suffering from the same plight thanks to the 254 and 393 bus stands outside their homes – want to team up with other sufferers to start a borough-wide pressure group.
Pat Manning, who lives directly opposite City and Islington College, where up to nine buses queue up while drivers take their breaks, said: “It’s the vibrations: you just can’t hear yourself think. They sit there for up to 20 minutes with their engines going.
“We’ve been fighting this for two years. We want help rallying the troops. We want other people who are suffering all over the borough to get in touch so we can make a really big concerted effort.”
Ms Manning said she is frustrated by Islington Council’s reluctance to enforce the powers they have to fine drivers, although Islington Council leader James Kempton last week promised to order officers to issue penalty tickets.
Ms Manning also complained of the level of detail TfL require for each complaint: “They are being awkward, they want the running number, registration number, and a description of the driver. We don’t want to be going out in the middle of the night in our nighties.”
A TfL spokesman said: “All bus drivers are required to turn off their engines while they are waiting at bus stands, and we post notices at the stands to remind them of this.
“We understand and sympathise with residents’ concerns. We will be speaking to the operators about bus drivers leaving engines running at stands and will be carrying out checks to ensure that the drivers are abiding by regulations.”
Anyone with comments on bus services or stopping arrangements can call London Buses Customer Services on 0845 300 7000.”

• If you are suffering from bus drivers leaving their engines running at bus stands contact suehug@hotmail.co.uk

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