Warnings over air quality partially lifted

Air quality warnings have been partially lifted in Dunfermline and Cupar after environment chiefs declared them safe.

Appin Crescent in Dunfermline and Bonnygate in Cupar were designated as “air quality management areas” by Fife Council due to high levels of pollutants in the air.

The local authority has been monitoring air quality on the streets since 2008 and 2011 for Cupar and Dunfermline respectively. It took action after unsafe levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM) – the fine dust and soot from exhausts and car tyres – were detected.

Scottish Government environment bosses, together with experts from watchdog Sepa, have advised the council pollutant levels have dropped to the point they consider the warnings revoked.

However, council bosses said they will continue monitoring PM levels with a great deal of scrutiny because they aren’t sure their readings are reliable.

Kenny Bisset, Fife Council’s lead on air quality, said: “The council’s demonstrating ongoing commitment to improving air quality through production of its air quality strategy.

“It has been confirmed air quality has improved in Fife’s two air quality management areas as a result of completed and ongoing air quality action plan measures.

“Based on evidence provided in our annual progress reports, Sepa and the Scottish Government have advised both air quality management areas are revoked. However, they have accepted that we’re amending the air quality management orders and that monitoring of NO2 and PM will continue in air quality management areas to ensure progress made is maintained.”