Council launch air quality survey for polluted street
Published 3 Oct 2012 11:30
17 Comments
A PUBLIC consultation to improve the air quality in one of Dunfermline's most polluted streets has been launched by Fife Council.
Residents at Appin Crescent blame the volume of traffic for the problems and recent levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) have forced the council to act.
An Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) for Appin Crescent, areas of Couston Street, Transy Grove and Halbeath Road was declared formally in November 2011 after monitoring discovered NO2 levels were being exceeded.
The council have now set up a draft action plan to improve air quality in the area and ensure that it meets objectives set by the Scottish Government to protect people's health.
The draft action plan proposes measures such as:
- Encouraging businesses to promote walking, cycling or bussing to work
- Using newer and more fuel-efficient vehicles under the council's fleet replacement programme,
- Bus operators using low-emission vehicles on certain routes
- A feasibility study on a bypass
Douglas Mayne, from Fife Council, said, "We are very keen to have views on our suggested measures to improve the air quality in the Appin Crescent area."
The consultation, which will run until Friday 23rd November, has been backed by NHS Fife.
Dr Jackie Hyland, public health medicine consultant, said, "High levels of air pollution from traffic can cause health problems for people with lung and heart disease.
"This consultation will help find ways to reduce harmful pollutants and protect health, and at the same time increase opportunities for healthier lifestyles."
A survey is available to complete online at http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/appinairquality and paper copies of the survey are available at the Carnegie Library, at the Dunfermline local office on Walmer Drive and at the New City House offices.
This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 03 Oct 12
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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jollymolly
93 posts
Oct 3, 13:04
Report commentThey should try monitoring Nethertown Broad Street with 4 lanes of traffic
and all the Council Rubbish Bin Lorries passing 3 or 4 times every day
Recommend?
Yes 12
No 4
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SmarmyGit
319 posts
Oct 3, 14:13
Report commentIts the fact that Appin Cres is a relatively narrow street and the traffic sits there waiting at the lights at the 'new' Sinclair roundabout, Netherton Broad street is wide and will have a better flow of 'fresh' air running through it AND modern diesel lorries are alot less poluting than the ones of yesteryear. (They have to to meet emissions targets as part of their MOT)
Recommend? Yes 7
No 11
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itsallwentpetetong2012
145 posts
Oct 3, 14:57
Report commentSome how link Halbeath Road & Leys Park Road up so taking away the bottle neck of traffic that is causing Air Populution
Recommend? Yes 3
No 3
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redrobin
285 posts
Oct 3, 16:17
Report commentMany years ago they talked about a new road ..by passing appin cresc..but of course that is dead and buried...
sitting behind a fife council vehicle today which was emitting enuf pollution for the entire 'city'..I think it is time to stop playing games.
This council needs a wake up call
Recommend? Yes 13
No 7
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char
131 posts
Oct 3, 18:51
Report commentThat bypass would've come out where the billboards are at the roundabout end. Too late now. Only solution would be to buy the properties and knock them down.
Recommend? Yes 1
No 3
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redrobin
285 posts
Oct 3, 19:41
Report commentMy understanding was that the 'bypass' would have come out where Iceland is etc..shows how long ago that was....planning huh
Recommend? Yes 3
No 2
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DunfermlineEast
137 posts
Oct 3, 20:14
Report commentGetting rid of almost all the traffic lights on Appin Crecsent-Halbeath Road-Carnegie Drive (apart from the ones leading to Whitefield and Linburn) and pedestrian crossings would help. You would have less sitting traffic and therefore less pollution.
Recommend? Yes 9
No 3
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char
131 posts
Oct 3, 20:49
Report commentBelieve it went from the side of East End Park (Iceland side) round the back of the houses and out around the bottom of Townhill Road. Houses around where the billboards are got knocked down to make way for a dual carriageway. In the end that dual carriageway ended at the Police station.
Oh, and this isn't new: http://www.dunfermlinepress.com/articles/2/15105
Recommend? Yes 3
No 3
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jollymolly
93 posts
Oct 4, 11:45
Report comment"DunfermlineEast" ..You could say the same for Nethertown Broad Street, "my friends live there"
getting rid of almost all the traffic lights you would have less sitting traffic and therefore less pollution.
But that wouldn't solve the problem with ALL the Council Rubbish Bin diesel Lorries passing 3 or 4 times every day "repeat everyday"
SmarmyGit As for a better flow of 'fresh' air running through the Nethertown Broad street I think you are blowing smoke up your .... "yes you guessed it"
Recommend? Yes 7
No 4
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darkknight
26 posts
Oct 4, 13:32
Report commentThe fact that the council need to use Nethertown Broad Street as a route for bin lorries is hardly a problem! What would you have them do?
Recommend? Yes 7
No 3
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jollymolly
93 posts
Oct 4, 14:20
Report comment"darkknight"
I would direct them down elgin street then on to the grange road where there are no housing estates.
when these diesel lorries start up first thing in the morning the smoke fumes belts out of them. as they are travelling along Nethertown Broad Street.
Recommend? Yes 8
No 7
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darkknight
26 posts
Oct 4, 15:16
Report commentThat would work; if they're going to Rosyth .I mean really, that's Hardly cost effective with today's fuel prices now is it?
Recommend? Yes 8
No 5
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supersonic
228 posts
Oct 4, 15:29
Report comment -
DunfermlineEast
137 posts
Oct 4, 16:28
Report commentI doubt lorries, esp refuse collection ones, cause most pollution. Standing traffic does. Hope Street in Glasgow is one of the most polluted streets in Europe as it has terrible traffic problems, especially from buses.
If we get the traffic moving then the pollution will drop. There are far too many traffic lights in town, most not required. They cause traffic to build up adding to pollution and are a hazard as people watch the lights and not the roads. Get rid of the clutter.
Recommend? Yes 11
No 2
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SmarmyGit
319 posts
Oct 5, 12:33
Report commentJollymolly, its simple Nethertown Broad Street (name gives it away really) is wide and has low roofed buildings eitherside with a FLOW of traffic hence a FLOW of air, Appin Crescent is one lane in each direction and has standing traffic more often than not, higher builings that that doesn't let a FLOW of air through hence the build up of fumes, its nae rocket science......
PS as far as pollution is concerened do you not think making the lorries turn left out of the Elgin street depot to go round Rosyth to get to, erm lets see now......Milesmark is going to 1) cause MORE pollution by burning more fuel to get there 2) cost the council (and ultimately us) more money to waste diesel?
The council lories do go down toward Rosyth via the Grange when they need to get places like Limekilns, Rosyth, Inverkeithing etc
Diesel engined vehicles have to pass emission tests BY LAW before they are let out on the road.
But hey, thanks for the input tho.....
Recommend? Yes 14
No 4
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maclam
318 posts
Oct 9, 12:32
Report commenthere we go again , over the years we have heard it all before , and we will hear it all again with no apparent quick fix solution to this problem forthcoming. the best of luck though.
Recommend? Yes 22
No 0
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jims007
28 posts
Oct 9, 13:17
Report commentYour link is incorrect, please update and use the correct one, being
http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/appinairquality
Recommend? Yes 0
No 0
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