A WOMAN wants to ban buses leaving their engines on over fears they are exposing children to “horrifying” levels of pollution.

Public health lecturer Maria Sheppard is calling on Sadiq Khan to fit all London buses with anti-idling sensors to stop them adding to the city’s worrying pollution levels.

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Ms Sheppard, of Woodbine Place, Wanstead, launched the petition around two weeks ago over mounting concerns about bus drivers’ behaviour so near to the Christchurch Green playground.

She said: “The Woodbine Place terminus is only meant to park three buses, but there are often as many as seven or eight.

“When I realised they were leaving their engines on I asked them to stop, because it’s bad for the environment.

“I started the petition after one particularly rude driver swore at me and refused point blank to do anything.

“It’s quite horrendous to think of how dangerous this is, when there is a children’s playground less than 50 metres away.”

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Although the petition has only collected around 27 signatures so far, Ms Sheppard has gained the support of City Hall’s Transport Committee chairman Caroline Pidgeon.

She said although most buses are now hybrid vehicles that should turn off automatically when stationary, there are still “several thousand dirty diesel buses” around the capital.

She added: “Maria is absolutely right to identify traffic fumes as a major contributor to London’s air pollution problem.

“Reducing engine idling, even for short periods, can really help improve local air quality.

“I think it’s time the rules against it were enforced more strictly.”

Ms Pidgeon also referred Ms Sheppard to the road traffic vehicle emissions fixed penalty regulations, which state councils can impose £60 fines for unnecessary engine idling.

But when her and her neighbours approached Redbridge Council on the matter, they were told it "does not deal with TfL buses".

Conservative Cllr for Snaresbrook Suzanne Nolan slammed the response as “unacceptable” and says she will be taking it up with officers, while Labour's Cllr Sheila Bain promised to table the issue at a committee meeting with TfL in January.

Ms Sheppard added: “I am astonished at the council’s response.

“London has one of the worst air pollution problems in Europe – this problem isn’t going to go away.

“It’s common sense to stamp out the problem now before more children and elderly people get breathing and heart problems because of increased air pollution.

“This problem goes beyond just Wanstead, it applies to the whole of London.

“Sadiq Khan promised us a cleaner London if he was elected, so I hope my petition resonates with him.”

A Redbridge Council spokesman said they are yet to adopt vehicle idling penalties.

They said: "The council is committed to improving air quality in Redbridge and plans to adopt these powers, which will be included in our revised air quality action plan that will go out for consultation early next year. 

"In the meantime we will raise Ms Sheppard’s concerns directly with Transport for London."

Transport for London and the Mayor’s Office have been contacted for comment. 

To sign the petition, see the website.