AIR pollution in Appin Crescent will not improve unless a bypass is built, a local resident and community representative has said.

Central Dunfermline Council’s vice-chairperson Ben Evans says he’s unable to open the windows of his home home without dust getting in immediately because of the long-standing problem.

Despite it being a regular topic of discussion at the regular community council meetings, Mr Evans is not hopeful that a resolution will be found.

“The situation is how it has been for many years – the pollution is still here and they have got an air quality plan in place,” he said.

“The only solution to it would be a bypass. They said around 10 years ago that it would take 16 years for one but it doesn’t seem likely.

“They have built a lot of flats out the back since so that is more people that would object to a bypass road going in.

“You notice it if you leave windows open, you get the dust inside. It is there and what can you do about it? The only thing you can do is build a bypass and block off Appin Crescent so traffic doesn’t get stuck on it.

“I cannot see that happening in the near future – they don’t have money to fill in potholes so they can’t build a new road.”

Mr Evans said results from the street’s air monitor were checked regularly, however, pollution will not disappear until there is a marked reduction in vehicles.

“People keep using their cars – more houses get built so there are more people using it. The northern relief road is another plan that is in place but if you want to go from A to B, you will go in a straight line rather than going round.

“It isn’t just Appin Crescent – it is throughout Fife. The only thing that really gives us hope is the way Fife Council is handling their fleet in trying to get lower emission vehicles and electric vehicles.”

Last year, Mid Scotland and Fife Greens MSP Mark Ruskell called on the Scottish Government to take action after a report by Friends of the Earth Scotland showed Appin Crescent had the highest pollution levels in Fife.

A Scottish government spokesman said then that they were determined to improve air quality and were working to ensure Scotland’s first low emission zone was in place by 2018 while Transport Scotland said they were investing more than £1 billion per year in public and sustainable transport.

A Fife Council spokesperson said additional monitoring equipment was installed in Appin Crescent at the end of last year which would give an additional level of monitoring in the future.