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A dramatic new plan to enforce fines upon parents driving their children to school is being trialled in London in a bid to tackle air pollution and dangerous driving. Two schools in the capital will trial the scheme before it could be expanded. Cars will be banned from roads near to schools at drop-off and pick-up times in a bid to reduce harmful levels of air pollution. It has recently been revealed that air pollution caused by car engine emissions can cause heart attacks and strokes.

GETTY Parents driving their children to school could face £130 fine

Pupils are now being encouraged to walk or cycle to school by council bosses. The ‘School Streets’ initiative is a Hackney council-led scheme being trialled at St John the Baptist C of E primary, Hoxton, and Tyssen community primary, Stamford Hill, according to the Evening Standard. Feryal Demirci, Hackney’s Cabinet member for neighbourhoods, transport and parks, told the Standard: “Too many children in Hackney are driven to school. It’s bad for air quality and it’s bad for their health.

Driving laws you probably didn't know but SHOULD be aware of to avoid getting fined Thu, March 16, 2017 Are you breaking the law without even realising it? Here are a list of illegal things you shouldn't do behind the wheel and changes in the law. Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 14 Using a mobile phone - It is illegal to drive, or be in the car with the engine on, holding a phone in your hand

“School Streets is one thing we’re doing to try to make it safer and easier for children to walk and cycle to school.”

It’s bad for air quality and it’s bad for their health Feryal Demirci, Hackney Cabinet member

Restrictions for motorists parking in these areas would apply between 8.30am-9.15am and 3.15am-4pm. The penalty for drivers caught parking in these areas would be £130, reduced to £65 if the fine is paid within 14 days. Residents who live on school streets can apply for an exemption so that they can still get to and leave their home by car. Additionally blue badge holders will be exempt from these fees.

GETTY The plans are being introduced to reduce the amount of exhaust emissions children are exposed to

This follows an initiative in an east London school to slap motorists with a £20 fee for letting their engine idle. Council chiefs in Waltham Forest introduced the new rule due to the high levels of pollution children were exposed to near schools. It also follows Sadiq Khan’s plan to introduce a toxic T-charge for drivers travelling in the capital by October this year.

Motorists would face paying up to £24 a day to travel in the congestion zone areas of the city. The Government was supposed to reveal their plan to reduce air pollution across the country by Monday 24th, but delayed it until after the General Election. On 21st April, The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) lodged a new application with the High Court to halt publication of the plans until after the June 8 poll