Pollution levels would rise significantly on Edinburgh's busiest road if new supermarket is given go ahead
Campaigners are opposing plans to build a giant supermarket on one of Scotland’s busiest roads – over fears the development will make it more polluted.
More than 350 people have now formally objected to plans for the supermarket and car park on St John’s Road in Edinburgh.
Residents and campaign group Friends of the Earth Scotland warn that the development will clog up traffic and increase air pollution levels in a location where toxic air levels are already well above legal limit.
The proposal runs counter to Edinburgh Council's local transport strategy's environmental objective to "reduce pollutant emissions in order that the city meets statutory Scottish air quality standards," according to campaigners.
Emilia Hanna, air pollution campaigner for Friends of the Earth Scotland said: “The developer has grossly underestimated how bad traffic congestion already is in the area.
This proposal would see hundreds more cars on St John’s Road every day - Emilia Hanna
“The reality is that St John’s Road is backed up with traffic during rush hour and could not cope with such a large supermarket centred around encouraging more car usage.
“This proposal would see hundreds more cars on St John’s Road every day, more idling at junctions and an increase in local air pollution.”
The legal limit for nitrogen dioxide is an annual concentration of no more than 40 microgrammes per cubic metre. Levels at St John’s Road monitoring station averaged 60 microgrammes per cubic metre last year.
Local resident Becky Lloyd, who heads up the Corstorphine Residents Action and Information Group said: “We trust the Council will come to the same conclusion as residents and rule this development entirely inappropriate for the site.
“Corstorphine is saturated with supermarkets and there is no demand or need for another one.
“This development would cause more congestion and pollution on a street already ranked the second most polluted in Scotland.”
