THE problem of drivers ‘idling’ in Marlborough High Street, causing traffic congestion and increasing pollution, is still unsolved a year after plans were made to set up a team of volunteers to tackle the issue.

Idling happens when cars are either parked with the engine running waiting for a parking space to come free or are driving slowly round and round the High Street looking for one or waiting to pick up a passenger.

The practice means traffic on the High Street is often held up, or forced to overtake idlers.

The danger which congestion in the High Street poses was dramatically illustrated last Wednesday, when a quick-thinking brother and sister stopped what could have been a multiple car accident as they caught a six-foot trolley full of baking trays which came rolling towards the busy road from Greggs bakery.

The large trolley was headed for the busy street at rush hour when Ben and Gemma Laver, 15 and 19, caught it before it caused an accident or damaged parked cars.The pair were walking with their mum Carla after visiting record shop Sound Knowledge to meet their favourite band, Bad Sounds, when the incident happened.

Mrs Laver said: “The High Street is on a slope, so it was rolling pretty quickly towards the road which was busy at 5pm. I think they really did stop an accident, it could have been really very nasty as it was so busy.”

The issue of idling was brought up in an area board meeting this time last year, where councillors were told local authorities do not automatically have the power to enforce no idling on local streets, and that Wiltshire Council would need to apply to the Secretary of State for the power to stop it.

As an alternative, It was agreed that a volunteer scheme should be set up to put up road signs asking drivers to reduce their engine running time in certain locations.

Not enough people came forward to run the scheme, but now the area board wants to know where the problem areas are which would benefit from signs as they try to get something done.Andrew Jack, the community engagement manager for Marlborough, wants to revive the idea.

“Having spoken with colleagues, We thought of starting a community-led scheme that encourages no idling at certain locations, like schools and shops, rather than immediately looking to make idling an offence and enforcing it.

“I spoke about the process at this area board meeting and asked for people to help me develop the approach but no one came forward. I would like Marlborough residents to be part of agreeing where the signs go, thinking about any problem areas they think suffer from poor air quality due to waiting vehicles leaving their engines running. That way it’s not Wiltshire Council imposing ‘no idling anywhere’ but more of a partnership Marlborough Town Council will also need to be happy about any proposed locations.”

“For all the people who might want to cut it, there could be just as many that see any new signs that go up as additional clutter on the streets. I know clutter is something that Wiltshire Highways want to see reduced, so they will need to be happy the signs are necessary.”

Michael Ciesia, assistant manager at Greggs, Marlborough said: “I was not in the shop on Wednesday and I haven’t heard anything about the incident but it will be investigated. I will be reporting it to the area manager so CCTV can be checked and the proper action can be taken.”

To have your say on idling and where it affects Marlborough most, email andrew.jack@wiltshire.gov.uk