​Politicians see for themselves the impact pollution has on residents

A Holyrood committee will today (24 October) visit Scotland’s most polluted streets.

The Scottish Parliament’s environment, climate change and land reform committee will visit St John’s Road in Corstorphine as part of its inquiry into air quality.

MSPs will meet with school children from Corstorphine Primary School, elderly residents from The Cedars sheltered housing and representatives from Corstorphine Community Council to hear their views on air quality.

Committee members will also visit the air pollution monitoring equipment on St John’s Road, which was installed to monitor changes in nitrogen dioxide levels produced by vehicle engines.

Committee convener, Graeme Dey, said: "Our committee wants to hear the views of local folk who live, work or go to school near St John’s Road on air quality and how it impacts their everyday life.

“We all have a right to breathe clean air and no one should have to suffer because of traffic congested streets. Air pollution can be especially harmful to the young, the elderly and people with existing heart and lung conditions.

"That's why we will be seeking to engage with a wide range of groups during our visit.

“As well as discussing the health and environmental impacts being experienced, we hope to explore the actions needed to tackle poor air quality and how to address these."

Air pollution has been linked to asthma attacks, strokes, heart attacks, and cancers. It can also lead to children’s lungs not growing to their full potential.

Eileen Esse, a local campaigner representing the group Corstorphine for Clean Air, said residents were being “choked” by deadly pollution daily.

“Campaigning has managed to get politicians to listen but otherwise we’d be suffering in silence,” she said. “Something must be done about our air quality. Air pollution is a killer yet only now are decision makers paying any attention to the issue.”