A WOMAN has slammed “ignorant” bus drivers who refuse to turn their engines off outside her home where pollution is already double the legal limit.

Public health lecturer Dr Maria Sheppard has been campaigning against “horrific” air and noise pollution caused by buses in Woodbine Place, Wanstead since last autumn.

She claims engine idling and overcrowding at the bus stand is damaging the health of neighbours like her and the hundreds of children who use Treehouse Nursery and the Christchurch Green playground.

But after almost a year of lobbying Redbridge Council and Transport for London (TfL), Dr Sheppard claims there has been no real change and she has “had enough”.

She said: “There are children being exposed to pollution twice the legal limit every single day.

“If their lungs are damaged at an early age, there’s no putting it right. This needs to stop right now.

“But around here I’m the only person who seems to care and it’s just not good enough – I’ve had enough.”

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

At a council meeting in January TfL bosses assured her spot checks are carried out at least twice a day to crack down on engine idling.

They also promised the older W12 buses would be replaced to improve their emission levels.

But Dr Sheppard says there are often still six or seven buses where there should only be three, the W12 fleet is still the same, and drivers still refuse to switch their engines off while they wait.

She claims things have got worse since the 101 bus changed operators a few months ago, with one driver “laughing in her face” when she asked her to consider children’s health and stop idling.

Earlier this year Redbridge Council claimed it was considering introducing £60 fines for failing to switch your engine off, but after no action Dr Sheppard is sick of authorities “dragging their feet”.

Redbridge Assembly member Keith Prince says it is “disgraceful” nothing has been done and has promised to take the issue up with bus operators and TfL.

A Redbridge Council spokesman said: "Vehicle and Bus idling can be prohibited by the council at specified locations and there are plans to adopt the necessary powers in our revised Air Quality Action Plan which will go out to consultation later this year.

"The adoption of the legislation will enable the council to enforce and issue fixed penalty notices to vehicles that breach the requirement, including buses.  

"In the meantime we are working with TfL to ensure that any feedback or complaints we receive on bus idling are passed to them so they are able to react to identified problems."

TfL has been contacted for comment.