Urging action on air pollution
Measures to reduce the harmful and illegal levels of pollution in Cambuslang must be implemented immediately, the town’s community council has demanded.
The Rutherglen Reformer revealed two weeks ago that Cambuslang Main Street is one of the most polluted streets in Scotland.
Figures released by Friends of the Earth (FoE) Scotland recorded 45 microgrammes per cubic metre (μg/m3) of nitrogen dioxide on the busy thoroughfare in 2016; the world health organisation’s limit for nitrogen dioxide is 40.
Stating Cambuslang residents are being ‘poisoned’ by pollution, the chairman of the community council has written to South Lanarkshire Council demanding they clean up their act.
In his letter David Thomson asked the local authority seven questions which sought information on how they planned to address the problem.
In particular he asked how long it would take to develop and implement a longterm strategy, and what interim measures would be put in place in order to reduce pollution whilst those long-term solutions were identified.
Mr Thomson wrote: “As the FoE report correctly notes, the breach of limits is unsafe and illegal. People in Cambuslang are being subjected to damaging nitrogen dioxide and particulate concentrations, with serious health implications.
“We have been approached by residents who live and work in the centre of Cambuslang, who are rightly worried about the risks to their health from the unsafe levels of pollution.
“They are particularly anxious about the effects on children who are being exposed to increased risk of respiratory problems.
“Studies have shown that children with asthma and older people with heart disease are at particular risk.”
Shirley Clelland, head of fleet and environmental services at the council, did not provide details or time scales for pollution control measures to be introduced.
But she said a full calendar year of air quality data for Cambuslang Main Street is currently being assessed.
She added: “If the assessment determines that air quality objectives are liable to be exceeded, then a detailed assessment will be undertaken for Cambuslang, and if that assessment indicates that air quality objectives are indeed exceeded at relevant locations then South Lanarkshire Council will commence the process of air quality management area declaration.”
And Ms Clelland concluded on the issue bysaying: “We will adhere to all legislative timescales as outlined in the Scottish Government and SEPA guidance and will engage with community groups at the appropriate times as dictated by this guidance.”