AN ENVIRONMENTAL campaigner has accused East Lothian Council of a “lack of action” over the problem of air pollution in Musselburgh.

Jason Rose, from East Lothian Greens, says a recent request for correspondence between the local authority and local bus firms, under the Freedom of Information Act, revealed only one email, from November 2013, asking for a meeting.

And he said his attempts to find out what the council’s plans were to tackle the issue had met with silence.

Mr Rose claimed toxic fumes and particles being monitored by equipment on the town’s North High Street had increased sharply in recent weeks.

He said: “Two whole years after I first exposed this shocking problem, the people of Musselburgh still have no action from East Lothian Council, and all the while we’re left with air that is unfit to breathe.” A council spokesperson said: “Since declaring an Air Quality Management Order in Musselburgh in November 2013, further detailed monitoring has been carried out to identify the levels and types of pollutants and consultation has taken place with, amongst others, Scottish Government, neighbouring councils and bus companies.

“An action plan is currently being prepared which will detail measures to be considered to tackle this problem.”