Traffic pollution hotspots highlighted in report

PARTS of Tayside and Fife have been highlighted as pollution zones where safety standards are regularly broken.

Atholl Street in Perth, Crieff’s High Street, Appin Crescent in Dunfermline and Cupar’s Bonnygate have all been cited as areas that pose a threat to public health from pollution, according to the report, Air Quality in Scotland.

It details the air quality management areas (AQMA) of all Scotland’s local authorities. Dundee has one large AQMA, while there is no air quality management area in Angus.

A total of 38 pollution hotspots were flagged up in the report by Air Quality Management, a Scottish Government funded website, and the Government’s environment committee has promised it will look into the problem.

Mark Ruskell, Scottish Green MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife, said he has raised the issue at Holyrood and is calling on the Scottish Government to “wake up” to the need for action.

He said: “Traffic pollution causes lung and heart disease and thousands of premature deaths every year in Scotland.

“We now need a commitment to fund low-emissions zones with local councils, given we have 38 pollution hotspots in communities across the country.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Scotland is the first country in Europe to pass legislation based on World Health Organisation guidelines regarding some of the most dangerous pollutants, and our Cleaner Air for Scotland strategy sets out an ambitious programme of action to promote air quality.”

A Perth and Kinross Council spokesman said: “Improvement measures in accordance with Perth’s existing Air Quality Action Plan are ongoing and a similar plan is in development for Crieff.”

Traffic congestion in Perth.