TENS of thousands of pounds is to be used to fund an ‘anti-idling campaign’ at “a small number” of primary schools.

BCP Council has unveiled plans for the project which aims to encourage parents to switch off their car engines while waiting to collect children.

Should its cabinet give its backing to the scheme, a two-year trial will start at schools across Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch in September.

Councillors in Poole gave their backing to increase efforts to dissuade drivers from idling their engines whilst stopped as a way of reducing air pollution.

Proposals were also considered to restrict parking in certain places near to schools.

Funding for the new campaign is to be taken from the remaining £50,000 of a grant awarded by the government to improve air quality.

The project would involve the creation of a “toolkit” for teachers and pupils which will be designed to be used in conjunction with the normal curriculum.

Workshops would also be run in conjunction with Public Health Dorset and GPs.

It is hoped that by providing more education about the effects of engine idling to children, they will pass on the message to their parents.

A report to the council’s transportation advisory group says legislation is being identified to allow fines to be issued.

“[The aim of the project is] to specifically engage those parents who use their car for the school run, to encourage them to switch off their engines whilst waiting in the vicinity of the school with the aim of reducing carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate pollution,” it says.

Should members of the group give their backing to the project when they meet on Wednesday (February 26), it will go to the council’s cabinet for final approval.

The trial would be run at chosen schools during the 2020/21 and 2021/22 school years but could be extended for a longer period while also be rolled out to more schools.