COVID-19 lockdown lowers Falkirk pollution levels

Friends of the Earth (FoE) Scotland stated 2020 was the first year Scotland did not record illegally high levels of air pollution and added this was in part due to the huge changes to public life – and the subsequent decrease in car journeys – following the year’s COVID-19 outbreak.

Government instructions to stay at home, as well as closure of schools and offices resulted in significantly less traffic on the roads and data recorded over that period showed a noticeable drop in pollution.

Over last year’s lockdown period Falkirk’s West Bridge Street – normally one of the area’s busiest roads – gave a reading of 25.96 microgrammes of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) per cubic metre when the European Ambient Air Quality Directive limit is 40 microgrammes.

It was a similar story for another busy road – Bainsford Main Street – which gave a particulate matter reading of just 12.20 microgrammes per cubic metre when the Scottish annual statutory standard is 18 microgrammes.

FoE believes this shows the clear link between car journeys and pollution levels, and that Scottish Government needs to work with councils to ensure these reductions can be maintained sustainably.

Gavin Thomson, FoE air pollution campaigner, said: “It’s a huge pity it took a deadly pandemic to bring our air quality within legal limits. Scotland’s car-choked transport system was brought to a halt in Spring 2020, and this is why our annual averages of pollution are much lower than previous years.

“Any improvements in air quality in Scotland have been short-lived with traffic quickly returning to pre-pandemic levels. We need to remember pollution damages our health through long-term exposure, such as living near a main road throughout your childhood.

“There was no intention or concerted political action to reduce emissions, which is why the falls were not maintained when restrictions eased. We need a just and green recovery, including investment in our public transport and more options for safe walking and cycling, to improve the air we breathe permanently.”