Transport for London (TfL) is deploying a new team of 16 healthy streets officers to help enhance on-road safety and cut down on pollution.

The healthy streets officers will discourage engine idling and work with businesses, schools and communities to encourage a switch to public transport

The new officers will work across London’s boroughs to reduce school-run traffic and discourage engine idling, including sending officers to hotspots at key times. The move comes as the Government also looks to crack down on idling drivers by increasing fines – with a consultation due to launch soon. Meanwhile, a report published this week by centre right think tank Bright Blue has called for the general public to be able to report idling drivers as part of a concerted effort to clamp down on pollution.

The TfL programme, managed by the charity Sustrans, will also work on enabling people to walk, cycle and use public transport more often and will support boroughs with London-wide events including World Car Free Day, Walk to Work Week and Road Safety Week.

The new initiative forms part of TfL’s wider programme, working with boroughs to reduce road danger and improve air quality, and is being funded through TfL’s Healthy Streets budget.

Alex Williams, director of city planning at TfL, said: “Partnering with the boroughs is absolutely vital if we are to reduce road danger and improve air quality, and transform London into an active, healthy and green city. Our new team of Healthy Streets Officers will closely collaborate with the London borough teams to engage with schools, businesses and communities across the capital and encourage safe and sustainable ways to travel.”

The programme will begin in Redbridge in the coming weeks, before being expanded out to the remaining boroughs and the City of London in the autumn.