Scotland’s first low emission zone to start next year

Scotland’s first Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is to come in to effect at the start of 2019.

The Glasgow city centre zone will initially crack down on bus pollution, with all vehicles to be compliant with restricted emissions in the area by the end of 2022.

The move, which is to be followed with zones in other cities, was first announced last year but campaigners have hit out at the proposals.

Friends of the Earth Scotland labelled it a “No Ambition Zone” and said Glasgow City Council’s LEZ proposals would only apply to 20% of buses when it comes into effect.

The council said it is working with bus operators and government funding to retrofit fleets to make them compliant with emission targets.

Councillor Anna Richardson, convener for sustainability and carbon reduction, said: “While we continue to work with the bus industry to improve services – services which are vital to the lives of Glaswegians – it’s recognised the introduction of a LEZ needs to be proportionate and managed in such a way that ambition and practicality can be balanced.”

Emilia Hanna of Friends of the Earth Scotland said: “The people of Glasgow were promised a Low Emission Zone, but these proposals will create a ‘No Ambition Zone’ that does almost nothing to speed up air quality improvements so desperately needed in the city.

“The proposals condemn Glasgow to illegal air for years to come and must be urgently improved.

“Councillors must recommend these proposals be significantly improved when they discuss them next week or they will have failed the people of Glasgow.”