Idling engines outside schools have sparked air pollution concerns – and a call to county council staff and contractors to switch off when parked up.

Leek councillor Charlotte Atkins raised the issue at the latest full Staffordshire County Council meeting after submitting a question about the progress of the authority's Air Aware project.

She asked: "Now schools are fully open, what practical steps is the county council taking to promote its Air Aware Project to ensure that the pollution from idling vehicles is eliminated?

"Will the county council assist schools to measure air quality now and in future months to demonstrate to students and parents the polluting impact of drivers leaving their engines on when parked up outside schools?

"Highways operatives working for the county council add to the pollution problem by frequently sitting in idling vehicles while they are waiting for their job to start. What I'm asking Julia Jessel (cabinet member for environment, infrastructure and climate change) to do is to ensure that all contractors working for the council are instructed to ensure that their staff do not continue with this polluting practice.

"It's a very bad example to all residents and children around schools in particular, so I would urge her to ensure we don't add to the problem and that we advise our staff – and contracted staff as well – to abide by best practice."

Councillor Jessel responded: "Idling vehicles, particularly outside schools, is not good practice. I would hope that any councillor, if we see practice like this from any of the county council's employees, would have brought it to the attention of senior officers and not necessarily wait for a formal question at council.

"I'm sure myself and Councillor David Williams (cabinet member for highways and transport) will take this forward and make sure all employees understand it is an unacceptable practice.

"We're also at the same time looking at the kinds of vehicles being used, to review the fleet and look at introducing low emission vehicles. Some of it may be on the waste management side and also in terms of highways maintenance."

Councillor Jessel also revealed that the county council has been awarded £296,828 by Defra to work with schools, businesses, and communities to tackle air pollution.

She said: "The Air Aware programme played a significant role in improving air quality outside schools prior to the pandemic and the team continued to work with schools in readiness for the return of all pupils to school on 8th March.

"Based on the success of the programme, a bid was submitted to the Defra Air Quality Fund last year to expand the programme to other areas in the county.

"This funding will ensure that the Air Aware programme, including measuring air quality outside schools and anti-idling campaigns, will continue. In addition to Air Aware, we have a Traffic Demand Management (TDM) programme in place, which also includes tackling issues outside school gates such as parking.

"Throughout the summer we will be delivering sustainable travel campaigns to encourage more pupils and parents to walk to school."

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