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SOARING pollution levels have turned St John’s Road in Corstorphine into the worst street in Scotland, environmentalists claimed today.
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Same old same old...
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh
"Edinburgh street ‘most polluted in Scotland’ "
(42 posts)-
Posted 8 years ago #
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The city council declared St John’s Road a Pollution Zone in 2006, meaning that it had to come up with plans to reduce air pollution there.
My familiarity with St John's Road is such that I don't think 1 single specific thing has been done in the last 9 years that that might reduce pollution on the street.
Should we really be surprised given the number of diesel-powered buses, vans and lorries that use the route?
Lots of people live on St. John's road itself, never mind the surrounding streets, but of course it's not a residential street it's an "arterial route". The arteries of a lifelong fry-up eater with a 40-a-day habit and 10 pints every Friday night, perhaps.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Posted 8 years ago #
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"Transport and environment leader Lesley Hinds said the council recognised improving air quality as a challenge and worked with partners to reduce emissions.
But you haven't reduced emissions. They've increased by over 20% in the last 12 months.
She said: “We monitor air quality continuously across the city and the Air Quality Management Area enables us to direct actions more effectively at those locations. We are aware there are improvements which can be made to limit emissions across Edinburgh including at St John’s Road and Clermiston Road junction."
So why is it getting worse?
What exactly are these "improvements"? Which ones, specifically, has the council made on St Johns Rd?
And, what's caused the average NO2 levels to increase by 20% - iin just one year - despite the fact the council is (supposedly) diligently monitoring pollution and taking action to address it?
Posted 8 years ago # -
@Gibbo - FoI request?
Robert
Posted 8 years ago # -
Suggestion; mandatory stop-start technology for all taxis in one year, and for all commercial diesel vehicles entering the city bypass within three, including buses. A report it app for citizens to report heavy smoke pouring out of the back of cars etc.
Enforce parking bans and laws about idling engines. Media campaign to ensure we all get it that we are all affected and that we can all do something; California changed it; the smog is mostly gone.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Whatever happened to Boris Johnston's NOX-absorbing pavements?
Posted 8 years ago # -
"They've increased by over 20% in the last 12 months."
I blame VW.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Noticed lots of no-idling notices over in BC, including suggestions this was actually enforced!
Posted 8 years ago # -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-35333076">Scotland's 'most polluted' streets named - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-35333076
Not sure if this is new data or not, but St John's Road remains top with 65 vs legal limit of 40
Edinburgh City Council transport and environment convener Lesley Hinds said 97% of streets in the Scottish capital passed air quality tests.
She said the city was also running several green transport schemes, but amid a backdrop of big cuts, added: "There's no way we can introduce a low-emissions strategy in the city with the Scottish government unless we can get extra resources."Posted 8 years ago # -
Edinburgh City Council transport and environment convener Lesley Hinds said 97% of streets in the Scottish capital passed air quality tests.
That's pretty much meaningless as 90%+ of streets are residential.
What they need is a survey that's weighted according to use.
So that streets like mine - where all the traffic is for local access - isn't given the same weight as Leith Walk.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Here's the full press release from FoE with particulate matter "wall of shame" too:
Posted 8 years ago # -
big weekend news, to be shamefully dropped like a stone under the fold by the beginning of the working week
business as usual, move along, nothing to see here
Posted 8 years ago # -
The government has been promoting diesel cars for over a decade through reduced income tax and road fund duty The first step nationally would be to end these tax and duty advantages. Locally cities could ban private deisel cars from the areas with highest pollution during peak Times. Much like smoking was until the 90s few think about vechile pollution as is everywhere. Also the denial and reluctance to act may be similar smoking in the past ,would imagine if edinburgh tried to ban diesel cars all sorts of government and commercial interests would make it diffcult as would be considered a dangerous precedent as others may follow etc.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Looking back at Edinburgh from Gullane Point yesterday you could see the brown cloud over the city. Filthy stuff.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@IWRATS, classic "inversion": warm air with clouds above traps the cold air in the city. Very little breeze, pollution hangs around at low level.
Posted 8 years ago # -
http://www.alexcolehamilton.org.uk/alex_launches_5_point_pollution_plan
With pollution levels recorded at nearly 50% over European safety standards, Lib Dem candidate for Edinbugh Western in the Scottish Parliament, Alex Cole-Hamilton has called on Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government to take immediate action in the following 5 ways:
1: Regular (at least weekly) spot checks of vehicle emissions in St John’s Road and Queensferry Road by Council Enforcement officers with fines imposed on drivers with vehicles operating outside legal levels.
2: Accelerated roll out of and investment in electric and hybrid buses on all public transport routes.
3: A fundamental increase in investment in active travel across Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council area including improvements in the cycle path network and safe walking routes
4: A complete moratorium on house building on the greenbelt in West Edinburgh in order to prevent a further increase in congestion levels on arterial routes through West Edinburgh.
5: Increased investment in public transport links serving the airport and outlying villages, including a direct bus route to the city centre from Kirkliston and South Queensferry and the introduction of an airport bus along the Queensferry Road Corridor.
On launching the action plan, Alex Cole-Hamilton said:
“Pollution levels in Corstorphine and Queensferry Road are a national disgrace. They represent a clear and present threat to public health, yet the SNP, who have been in charge of this City and this country for nearly a decade, continue to drag their heels.
“Almost 2,000 Scots die prematurely each year as a result of vehicle emissions and nowhere is this risk more present than in communities that span the arterial routes into Edinburgh. Investment in my 5 point action plan will actually save our country money in the future in terms of reduced demand on health services and days lost to work through illness.”
Posted 8 years ago # -
Seems like a sensible policy. Did someone say the lib dems had released an ambiguous mailshot? The one we have doesn't seem to suggest they don't support active travel.
Posted 8 years ago # -
From the leaflet I received:
"Residents and shopkeepers have reacted with outrage at proposals to remove a bus lane to accommodate a new cycle path on the A8 from Roseburn.....The westbound lane would be removed at Wester Coates and bus passengers would need to be cross the cycle way to access the bus stop at Wester Coates.
Local Councillor Paul Edie said "Local traders have raised concerns about loading and locations of trade waste bins while residents have concerns about the loss of a bus lane and the impact on traffic flows"
Not what you would call a balanced view of the plan. Apparently it was a "drafting issue".
Paul Edie is still to make his view known on this. I suspect he is taking the sneaky weasel option and will go whichever way the wind is blowing.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@Stickman - From a personal communication Paul Edie believes that Councillor Ross is correct, so there's little ambiguity or weaseling there...
Robert
Posted 8 years ago # -
One thing the 5 point pollution plan above didn't suggest is what other major cities are doing, ie partially restricting private vehicle use, for example using number plates to restrict which days you can bring your car in.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Roibeard
Well, he should come out and say it in public.
Alex Cole-Hamilton can also explain why I should support him if his colleagues are just going to oppose his "action plan".
Posted 8 years ago # -
I really do think the "spot check" thing is a red herring. It's a response to the wrong problem and implies that it's not the sheer volume of "otherwise law abiding" single occupant vehicularists that's the problem, just the odd bad egg here and there with a smoky old banger.
Posted 8 years ago # -
If they're going to spot check people they ought to be asking each subject what their journey is and what they're lugging which requires them to be the only occupant of a private vehicle rather than the proud user of a pair of legs or one of the people spreading out the per-passenger emissions cost of a large bus.
Posted 8 years ago # -
"what they're lugging which requires them to be the only occupant of a private vehicle "
Personal space and freedom, that's what! Oh, and business calls on the hands free, personal playlist on Spotify fed through bass bins in the boot, and their office suit hung next the back seat from the coat hooks above the rear door. Will that do?
Posted 8 years ago # -
Re Alec Cole-Hamilton plan, sounds very commendable. but misleading.
Tax Benefits on diesel vehicles need to end nothing to do with the Scot Government.
More pertinent would be challenging single occupancy drivers. At best could reduce private car traffic by 75% but more realistically 50%.You can just now get to the Gyle, Edinburgh Park, RBS, Airport by Tram, Train, bus and of course cycle, yet still cars go along St Johns road with one occupant. Behaviour needs challenged.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@Stickman - if you ask him directly about the Roseburn consultation, I'm sure he will give you the same answer, which you could then put to A C-H. Indeed, if I were being mischievious, I might email the councillor and the candidate with the same question as to their stance on the consultation!
Robert
Posted 8 years ago # -
Roibeard: I have emailed him, but not had any response from him.
And Alex C-H isn't responding when I ask him why is should support his plan given his colleagues will just block it....
Posted 8 years ago # -
"
A HOLYROOD candidate handed out protective safety masks on Scotland’s most polluted street as he launched a campaign to reduce emissions.
Alex Cole-Hamilton, Liberal Democrat hopeful for Edinburgh Western, has set out a five-point plan to tackle the crisis on St John’s Road in Corstorphine.
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Posted 8 years ago #
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