scots events threatened by emissions plan

Historic rally start at risk from second stage of emissions zone rules

Classic Car Weekly understands that the Monte Carlo Historique, set to celebrate its tenth year of rally starts in Scotland next year, could be at risk from the second stage of Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) legislation.

Organisers may have to find an alternative venue for the start line, which has previously used Glasgow’s George Square in the centre of the city. The part of Glasgow’s LEZ that will affect private car owners went to public consultation on 18 February, to be rolled out from 31 December 2022. A consultation on the issue is open until 29 March.

The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) has been concerned about Scottish LEZs for some time, because, unlike English emissions legislation, the Transport Scotland Bill has no mechanism for exempting noncompliant cars, including classics. Cities like Glasgow can pick and choose local changes to the Bill as they go forward; with the help of MSP Murdo Fraser, the Federation is hoping to preserve the rights of as many Scottish historic vehicle owners as possible.

Outgoing FBHVC legislation director, Bob Owen, told Classic Car Weekly: ‘Exemption frameworks have been useful in England, but Scotland is going for prohibition [of non-compliant vehicles] within the LEZ.

‘We’ve been making a high-level fuss about this for quite some time, now, and we’re trying to get an exemption for 30-year-old vehicles.

‘ This will limit the number of owners who are affected within Scottish LEZs.’

New emissions rules could force the Monte carlo Historique out of the centre of Glasgow; the FBHVc want exemptions north of the border for classics aged 30 years and older.

signage is already in place for Glasgow’s low emissions Zone, which currently applies to local service buses.