PLANS to fine drivers who keep their engines running while parked outside schools have moved a step closer.

Trafford Council is planning a crackdown on car "idling" as part of its priority to improve air quality in and around schools across the borough.

The council’s Executive Committee was presented with a report entitled Safety Around Schools at its meeting last week.

Members backed a next steps recommendation on the report to consider issuing on-the-spot fines to drivers who leave engines running while their cars are stationary.

Officers believe that reducing traffic and improving road safety at the start and end of the school day will encourage children to walk or cycle to school and will have a positive impact on their health and attainment levels.

The council is already working on a number of initiatives to improve safety and air quality.

The Living Streets charity, which runs a programme to promote walking to school, is working with several schools ­— Kings Road, Timperley; Oldfield Brow; Flixton Primary; Heyes Lane and English Martyrs. The project has resulted in a 44 per cent increase in pedestrians and a 20 per cent reduction in car use.

There also supported plans to introduce an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order at Newton Road, Hereford Grove, Wycliffe Road, in Urmston and at Delamere Road and Mardale Avenue in Flixton.

Under the proposals, parents would effectively be stopped from parking in the immediate vicinity of nearby schools. There are also plans to increase the number of 20mph zones outside schools.

Cllr Stephen Adshead, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality and Climate Change, said: “Trafford Council is dedicated to improving road safety and air quality at schools across the borough.

“The health of parents, children and staff at our schools is of paramount importance. We will do everything we can to ensure they are breathing in clean air and are safe in the knowledge they can take their children to school in safety. The safety and health and wellbeing of our residents is a major priority. ”