FIFE Council were unmoved as calls to fine drivers for engine idling hit a road block.

Dunfermline South councillor James Calder was fuelling efforts to introduce fixed penalty notices to car owners who allow their engines to run when not moving.

Mr Calder felt the introduction of the fines would, "reduce emissions from vehicles, particularly outside primary schools and where lorries are unloading."

He commented: "Humanity faces an existential threat from climate change. Fife is doing excellent things for the environment. We must challenge ourselves because every little helps. It sends a message and shows Fife is leading the way."

Despite having support from councillor Jane-Ann Liston, who urged the council to use their powers to "make the very air we breathe safer," the proposal fell through.

Council co-leader David Alexander said bringing in the fixed penalty notices would require fresh resources to be found to enforce them.

He said: “The money would need to be found. You’ve never asked how much it would cost. ”

He was backed by his co-leader, David Ross, who recognised there was an issue, but this was the wrong way to tackle it.

He added: “It’s not the best way to deal with this and we are happy to have further discussion. It’s unnecessary and the wrong way to go about it.”

Councillor Gavin Ellis said that in his 10 years of working as an enforcement officer he has never had issues.

He added: "It’s not a straight forward issue to deal with, but it is decreasing. Emissions from engine idling is a very small part."

Cllr Calder's motion was voted down by 54 to 6.

He stated that he was "incredibly disappointed" by the decision, and criticised Cllr Alexander for a "singular lack of ambition".

He said: "By bringing this forward we’re sending a message to drivers. We’re sending a message to protect the environment and public health by using similar resources we already have as a council, we should look at which members of staff could do this. It won’t add that much time to them."