Call for 20mph zones to be default

Environmental campaigners are calling on politicians to back default 20mph limits in towns and cities to help tackle air pollution.

The call comes as research shows 81 per cent of Scots believe it is important to tackle air pollution but only 28 per cent have taken steps to reduce the amount they create.

Half of the 28 per cent are ditching the car for walking, cycling or public transport, and the rest are ensuring vehicles are well maintained and do not idle in traffic, a study found.

The research was carried out by Global Action Plan, which organised National Clean Air Day today.

The Scottish Government said 40 actions had been taken to combat air pollution in the past 18 months. Friends of the Earth Scotland called on the government to go further.