Edinburgh Transport Plans Could Tackle Deadly Air Pollution

Environmental campaigners have today welcomed a public consultation which would transform Edinburgh’s transport systems and address the capital’s deadly and illegal levels of air pollution.

The plans ask the public for their views on the city centre transformation, the city mobility plan, and low emission zones.

Commenting on the plans, launched today, Friends of the Earth Scotland Air Pollution Campaigner Emilia Hanna said,

“Edinburgh Council has put game-changing, modern plans on the table, which, if all implemented, could make the air on our streets safe to breathe again and transform the city into one of the best in the world. They could make our streets safer, enable easier movement and provide a boost to business.”

“Shocking new research shows air pollution can lodge into mothers’ placentas, adding to the urgency of tackling this public health risk. Although you can’t see or smell it, Edinburgh has a serious air pollution problem. Traffic fumes are poisoning the air we breathe, with six pollution zones across the city that have remained in force for years. The pollution levels are so bad they are breaking Scottish and European safety standards. Air pollution can worsen asthma, and increases the risk of cancers, heart attacks, strokes, and children’s lungs not growing properly.

“Edinburgh needs a wide-reaching Low Emission Zone which would ban the most polluting vehicles from parts of the city, and want to see a Low Emission Zone introduced as soon as possible.

“These proposals won’t just help clean our air quality, but they’ll make Edinburgh an even more wonderful place to spend time in. We urge everyone who wants to make Edinburgh cleaner, safer and easier to travel around to make their voice heard on these plans.’”

You can show your support for Edinburgh Council’s plans by quickly taking action online.