Edinburgh sees more than 50 per cent drop in air pollution as lockdown lowers amount of traffic

Nicolson Street and St Leonards saw reductions in the amount of nitrogen dioxide in the air.

As Edinburgh’s streets fall silent as residents and tourists alike stay at home, there has been one major positive effect from the decision to tell people to stay at home during the coronavirus pandemic.

Air quality in the Capital has improved significantly when compared with the same period last year, air pollution data shows.

The huge reduction in the number of cars, lorries and buses has meant the levels of Nitrogen Dioxide in the atmosphere has reduced by 50 per cent in some areas.

Empty South Bridge in Edinburgh as the UK goes on lockdown during Coronavirus pandemic. Nicolson Street, which is normally one of the busiest streets in Edinburgh, can be seen in the background.

Nicolson Street, which was one of the worst streets in Scotland for Nitrogen Dioxide pollution in 2018, has seen levels drop from an average of 58.8 micrograms per cubic metre to 28.3, a drop of just over 51 per cent.

Edinburgh St Leonards air monitoring station has also seen a sharp drop from 15 micrograms per cubic metre to just 9.6.

Nitrogen Dioxide has been linked with increased risk of respiratory problems. It can cause inflammation of the linings of the lungs leading to a higher chance of an infection.

The gas has also been linked with causing wheezing, coughing, colds, flu and bronchitis, as well as more serious asthma attacks for those with serious cases of the disease.

The reduction has been welcomed by Green councillors in the city who have said the challenge will be to keep to this level of air pollution, or lower, when the Capital returns to normal after the COVID-19 crisis.

Green City Centre councillor Claire Miller said: “Across the world, from China to California, we have seen how air pollution in cities has plummeted.

“Edinburgh will be no exception, as travel reduces to a trickle and people find it easier to cycle or walk on much safer roads.

“In some ways it offers a glimpse into a different future although, of course, without needing the tragedy of people dying or falling seriously ill and workplaces having to close down.

“So the challenge will be how to do this when there is not a major public health crisis.

“How to keep people walking and cycling; how to reduce traffic and slash emissions; how to rebuild confidence in public transport.

“A return to normal shouldn’t mean a return to status quo.”

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “Of course this is an extraordinary situation, which is having a major impact on people here and around the world, and we are making every effort to limit its effects where possible.

“The monitoring of air pollution is continuing, were possible, as information on risks associated with respiratory illness and exposure to air pollution is important at this time.

“However, the provisional data does show that there is a marked drop in traffic related air pollution due to the lower volumes of motor traffic on our roads.

“We’re already aware of the benefits better air quality can bring to health and wellbeing and for this reason we have proposed some of the most significant changes the city has seen for decades to transform and decarbonize the way people move around the city.”

The pollution data is from the BBC Shared Data Unit.