Council receives only six written replies to pollution consultation

A public consultation to shape a radical air quality plan at a Perthshire pollution blackspot attracted only a handful of responses.

Council chiefs revealed a wide-ranging package of measures to combat longstanding problems in Crieff’s High Street.

One of the suggestions is to fine motorists for letting their engines idle.

The Air Quality Action Plan also proposes a study of traffic flow, a parking shake-up and a new traffic control system.

However, despite two public meetings, an “extensive” social media campaign and leaflet drop, the local authority only received six written responses.

A report will go before members of Perth and Kinross Council’s environment and infrastructure committee for final approval next week.

A local authority spokeswoman said 75% of those who responded agreed air quality in the High Street corridor was poor and in need of improvement.

Committee convener Angus Forbes said: “The council is required to develop and air quality management plan for Crieff and this plan coming before the committee is very comprehensive and detailed.

“The plan lists a number of improvement measures available to us – some would represent significant changes to Crieff town centre, and some are much smaller changes.

“I would like to stress that we will not be implementing every one of the options, but we have to consider them and the potential impact they would have.

“We hope the community will be understanding and supportive of what we will be doing in the future.”