Whirlies'; pollution levels prompt a call for action

May 7 2008 East Kilbride News

GREEN campaigner Kirsten Robb has urged South Lanarkshire Council to take action after it was revealed air pollution at the Whirlies roundabout breaches European safety limits.

Miss Robb obtained air-quality information from SLC that shows high levels of particulate matter, which are tiny particles whose main source is road traffic.

These particles can cause lung damage and exacerbate asthma, bronchitis and heart conditions.

Now Miss Robb, a member of the Green Party, is calling on the council to help reduce traffic levels and also publish pollution information on their website.

The council has responded by stating it has invested heavily in recent years to combat the problem.

Kirsten Robb said: “I am very concerned that local residents and children are breathing damaging levels of pollution. We are campaigning for pollution information to be published on the council website and encourage local residents to voice their concerns.

“The council has known about this problem for some years now.

“To tackle it, we need to cut vehicle emissions and reduce traffic levels. This would involve the council carrying out more roadside emission tests and encouraging the owners of bus, taxi and haulage fleets and, of course, the council itself, to replace or improve its vehicles to meet safe air standards.

“Serious investment in improving walking and cycling facilities and in public transport will help reduce traffic.

“It is time for responsible action to put people’s health first and make our air fit to breathe again.”

A spokesperson for South Lanarkshire Council said: “We take very seriously the issue of air quality and its impact on human health.

“The council fully endorses the air quality objectives set for the various pollutants.

“We have invested a considerable amount of money in equipment that will enable us to physically monitor relevant air-quality parameters and also to model their physical boundaries.

“This information will be used to enable appropriate measures to be taken to safeguard the health of our communities in relation to air quality.

“Also, the council is committed to reducing traffic levels across South Lanarkshire and has set out a range of policies and actions within the Local Transport Strategy.”