Stationary vehicles with their engines running will be the target of a new council campaign.

Medway Council has been awarded government money to target idlers in Rainham from a pot of more than £11 million.

The government has awarded the authority £127,510 from its Air Quality Grant, which helps local authorities implement schemes to tackle air quality problems.

The funds will go towards two projects, one of which will see the launch of an anti-idling campaign in the town.

This will encourage motorists to switch off their engines when they are not moving.

The rest will go towards a taxi and private hire ultra-low emission vehicle feasibility study which will include a two-week emissions testing programme at various locations across the Towns.

The survey will also look at what infrastructure is needed to support more drivers and operators to use greener vehicles.

The authority is also contributing £18,600 to the projects.

Cllr Jane Chitty (Con), Medway Council’s portfolio holder for planning, economic growth and regulation, said: “I am delighted that we have received almost £130,000 in government funding to help improve air quality in Medway.

"We will do everything we can to tackle air pollution and reduce emissions.

"I look forward to watching these exciting projects progress.”

Cllr Howard Doe (Con), deputy leader of the council, who is leading on Medway’s climate change agenda, said: “These important projects support our work to tackle climate change in Medway and I am pleased that we have received government funding to further our work to improve air quality.

"It is vital that we continue to raise awareness of the small things everyone can do, like switching off your car engine if you’re not moving, which will make a real improvement to air quality and climate change.

"We will continue to work with partners, including residents and local businesses, on our journey to achieve net zero carbon across Medway by 2050.”

The council is currently consulting on an Air Quality Action Plan set up to try to tackle emissions on Four Elms Hill.

Proposed interventions include encouraging people to cycle such as setting up a "Tour de Hoo", electrifying buses travelling onto the Hoo Peninsula, and implementing a zero emissions only zone for HGVs and LGVs.

When approved, it will sit alongside two other plans for Pier Road in Gillingham and Rainham High Street.

The consultation closes on Sunday, April 24.