FIFE Council has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting and improving air quality in the Kingdom.
The Air Quality Strategy for Fife 2015 – 2020 was launched today by Councillor Kenny Selbie, Katherine Leys, Chair of the Fife Environment Partnership, Roy Stewart, Senior Manager, Protective Services and representatives from partner organisations. In general, air quality in Fife is good, but in specific areas where road traffic causes air pollution, the council works with communities and partners to minimise the potential impact.
The council takes its air quality regulatory responsibilities very seriously and for several years now has been monitoring and improving air quality across Fife, particularly in areas such as Cupar and Dunfermline where Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) have been declared. This Strategy provides an overview of air quality in Fife and sets out the councils vision of how air quality issues will be tackled in the next five years.
Councillor Selbie said: "The council has already been working hard to ensure pollution hotspots are identified and action plan measures produced to deal with this important public health issue.
Along with the introduction of innovative traffic management measures such as those in the Bonnygate Cupar Air Quality Managemernt Area, it’s already implemented Fife wide initiatives such as the Fife ECO stars project which encourages local fleet operators to improve the eco-credentials of their fleet through reduced vehicle emissions.
It also, acknowledges the importance of a partnership approach with the Scottish Government, SEPA, NHS Fife, Transport Scotland, Sestran, the Road Haulage Association, Environmental Protection Scotland and SNH, all signing up to assist the council in delivering this air quality strategy." Councillor Selbie added: "We are delighted to support this strategy by the council and see it as an important step in improving air quality across the Kingdom and protecting the health of everyone in Fife."