Activists hit out at low emissions plan

ENVIRONMENTAL activists have called on Dundee to be more ambitious after it emerged low emission plans will affect a “relatively small” number of vehicles.

Analysts at transport consultancy firm Systra told a community meeting that only around 30% of diesel cars are likely to be excluded from the new zone.

Dundee council transport officer John Berry also told the City Centre and Harbour Community Council: “It will be a relatively small number of people affected.”

Experts from Systra were invited to the CCHCC meeting to justify the choice of limiting Dundee’s low emission zone (LEZ) to within the inner ring road in the city centre.

But environmental group Friends of the Earth Scotland says the plan is flawed because it excludes Lochee Road – a national pollution hotspot.

Official data shows nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels on Lochee Road last year were measured at an average of 43 microgrammes per cubic metre of air – the legal limit is 40.

Systra has suggested the council look at measures such as “improved bus lanes” and better traffic flow to address issues there instead.

Dr Richard Dixon, director of FoES, said: “The mind boggles at the decision to exclude Lochee Road from their plan to tackle illegal levels of air pollution.

“Councils need to use every tool at their disposal to reduce the use of fossil-fuelled vehicles. This means a significant expansion of cycling networks, putting the pedestrian at the centre of decision- making and improving the quality of bus services whilst also reducing fares.”

Meanwhile council chair Bill Newcombe asked how the LEZ may affect the local economy. To date, no economic impact assessment on a potential LEZ has been carried out.

Mr Newcombe said: “We’ve got to find out how it is going to affect the economy – there are a lot of car parks in there that may not be accessible.”

Friends of the Earth are angry that Lochee Road has been excluded from the proposals.