Perth traffic pollution campaign launched

Scottish Government-funded campaign seeks to cut traffic pollution in Perth by encouraging alternatives to car travel

A campaign to reduce congestion by promoting alternatives to car travel in a bid to cut air pollution has been launched by Perth & Kinross council.

Funded by the Scottish Government to improve air quality in the city, the Perth on the Go campaign will focus on reducing congestion on the Scone to Bridgend corridor where traffic pollution levels currently exceed national objectives.

Perth & Kinross councillor Lewis Simpson takes to his bike to launch the Perth on the Go campaign at the Scone Park & Ride site

The city centre in Perth has been part of an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) since 2006 due to high levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. Changes were made to the traffic lights on Atholl Street in March in a bid to tackle traffic pollutions (see airqualitynews.com story).

Campaign staff will work with schools and employers to encourage people to think about alternative journey choices, providing every household in the area with information and advice.

According to the council, drivers can make the following cost savings by changing their transport behaviour:

• Up to 15% fuel cost savings by driving more efficiently
• Up to 40% savings from using the bus instead of the car for journeys around Perth
• Up to 50% savings by car sharing
• Up to 100% cost savings from walking or cycling instead of taking the car

Commenting on the campaign, deputy leader of the council, Alan Grant, said: “Perth on the Go is part of a range of activities to improve transport in the city. Perth & Kinross Council, Stagecoach and others are working to provide good quality infrastructure and transport services where they can. However, it’s up to everyone that travels in Perth to do their bit.”

Although he said cars had “an important role to place in our transport system”, he added that there were “too many” on the roads, which was affecting the city’s environment and “increasing risks to people’s health”.

Councillor Grant said: “Perth on the Go shows that there are good alternatives for many journeys – and highlights that most drivers could save plenty from their travel costs by choosing them.”

The Perth campaign coincides with the EU’s European Mobility Week from September 16-22, which this year focuses on air quality and aims to encourage alternative methods of transport to driving cars (see airqualitynews.com).

Chair of the Scone and district community council, Peter Olsen, said: “I’m pleased that this campaign will help reduce congestion in our community. Until a few years ago, I used the car for almost all of my journeys. Since retiring, though, I’ve started to use the bus again and have found it’s a great option for many journeys. Particularly for trips to Perth, the bus is frequent and quick, and I don’t need to worry about finding a space or paying for parking – I get the whole journey for free!”

Buses

The campaign is being supported by transport firm Stagecoach, which runs the Service 7 bus through Scone and Bridgend.

As part of the campaign, the firm is enabling adults to travel all week on its buses in Perth for £9.50 with concessionary pass holders allowed to travel for free.

Andrew Jarvis, Stagecoach East Scotland managing director, said: “Stagecoach are delighted to support this campaign in our home city. We hope that Perth on the Go will encourage those people that haven’t used buses for a while to give them a try.

“We have some of the best vehicles in the UK – in terms of low emissions and passenger comfort – running on the Service 7 through Scone and Bridgend and we’re committed to providing a network of quality bus routes across the city.”