Update on first low emission zones due within six months

An update on Tayside’s first low emission zones will be made public by March.

A taskforce was established in September last year to explore introducing the zones (LEZs) in Dundee city centre.

Three of Scotland’s 10 most polluted streets are in Dundee.

Glasgow introduced LEZs at the end of last year.

There has been little mention of the plan since but meeting environmentalists yesterday, Dundee City Council leader John Alexander said a report on the LEZs will be put to councillors in three to six months.

The Dundee branch of Extinction Rebellion met Mr Alexander following the local authority’s decision to declare a climate emergency in June.

He said: “When we see the report we will have an idea of how we can take the ideas forward.

“It won’t be happening in the immediate future, but it’s not too far off either.

“Glasgow were first with this and we can learn from what they do but crucially, we can also learn from their mistakes.”

Friends of the Earth Tayside recently said that banning diesel and petrol vehicles from Dundee city centre before 2030 is a “reasonable” target as a means of tackling C02 emissions.

Mr Alexander said: “Public consultation is crucial... the council is only going have a minute impact on a global scale but it’s still important that we do our bit.”

Extinction Rebellion Dundee member Josephine Becker said the local authority’s pledges must be backed with cash.

She said: “The declaration is the first step but without action it is meaningless.”