MSPs told low-emission zones seem ‘illogical’

Low emission zones seem “illogical”, a taxi industry representative told MSPs.

Tony Kenmuir, of the Scottish Taxi Federation, said he would prefer universal low emission requirements rather than having none at all.

He was giving evidence to the Holyrood’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee on the Transport Bill, which would enable councils to create low emission zones with approval from ministers.

“I think if you design a little zone with a boundary around it you are creating a whole world of complication.”

He added: “To try and manage the climate within a few streets, it just seems to me completely illogical.”

Gavin Thomson, of Friends of the Earth Scotland, told MSPs: “Certainly a very small low emission zone scheme wouldn’t be much use.

“Just one or two streets covered by a low emission zone scheme, I think we can all agree, probably wouldn’t be effective or worthwhile implementing.”

He said the environmental campaign group wants to see a “substantial geographical area” covered in cities and hopes the four earmarked for the zones by the end of 2020 – Dundee, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh – would look at a citywide scheme.

He said there is a “lack of ambition” in the proposed Transport Bill.