City’s air quality rises after traffic levels reduced during lockdown

Lockdown has helped to improve air quality in Dundee, a report has stated.

Data set to go before councillors next week reveals that for the first time in five years the “hourly average objective” for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was met at all sites.

Dundee has previously been found to have two of the most polluted streets in Scotland – Lochee Road and Seagate. Those streets are two of six areas checked for air quality across the city.

The others are Broughty Ferry Road, Mains Loan, Meadowside and Whitehall Street.

All sites showed reductions of between 4.3% and 73.5% in NO2 levels from March to August when compared to the same period last year.

The reduction in traffic lockdown is said to be a contributor to the results.

Lynne Short, depute convener of DundeeCityCouncil’scommunitysafety and public protection committee, said: “We are determined that the progress we are making on improving air quality will continue at pace and improve the city for everyone.”

Modelling of the possible Low Emission Zone options for the city has been put on hold due to the impact of Covid-19. during major

Work already carried out is likely to be made less reliable by the changes brought about by the pandemic, the report states.

As a result Transport Scotland, with support from local authorities, will develop a set of high-level scenarios for post-pandemic traffic that will be used to model the likely impact of LEZs.

The report will be considered by the community safety and public protection committee next Monday.

Busy traffic on Lochee Road, which has been found in the past to be one of the most polluted roads in Scotland.