The move is part of the council’s ongoing Engine Idling campaign using its “30 Good Reasons for Switching off” banners being displayed on lamp posts in streets outside schools.

The banners are displayed on a rotational period, moving between school learning communities with the most recent campaign targeting the Hamilton Grammar learning community from Monday 25 August.

Following complaints from members of the public regarding engine idling outside some of the schools, the posters will be displayed for an eight-week period outside Hamilton Grammar, Beckford Primary, Chatelherault Primary, Quarter Primary, St. John's Primary and Woodside Primary

Engine idling, particularly near schools affects the health and wellbeing of children, affecting their development.

By turning off your vehicle when parked you are helping to prevent respiratory and cardiovascular disease.

When we breathe cleaner air, not only is it good for all of us, but by reducing air pollution we are also allowing our communities to flourish and helping to protect the planet.

Councillor Robert Brown, the council’s Chair of the Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, said: “We have been tackling engine idling for a number of years across South Lanarkshire.

“Throughout the year we continue to urge everyone to think about air pollution, particularly the damaging effects exhaust fumes have on our children’s health and wellbeing.

“So, we want everyone to help make engine idling a thing of the past and allow all of us and our planet to breathe fresh air once again.”

The council also carries out patrols where any drivers found idling are instructed to switch off their engines. Failure to do so can incur a £20 Fixed Penalty Notice.

More information about air quality issues and how to report offending can be found on our Traffic pollution and engine idling pages.

The “30 Good Reasons for Switching off” banners will also be on display during the Lanarkshire Climate Action Festival which takes place from 8 - 21 September. 

The No Engine Idling campaign will continue until the end of March 2026.

Additional information is also available on the Scottish Government’s Vehicle engine idling: switch off when you stop page.