Low emission zones will help create a healthier future for Scotland’s children

Your article, “Three-quarters of Scotland’s diesel cars face city centres ban” (6 September) misrepresents how low-emission zones (LEZS) are being introduced in Scotland, and underplays the ways in which they will improve our lives, and our children’s futures. The article will only create misunderstanding around LEZS, which are a life-saving intervention that should be welcomed.

It is fundamental that children in Scotland should grow up with clean air. Currently, there are 38 Pollution Zones across the country where toxic fumes are harming health, with an array of alarming impacts, from higher rates of childhood asthma through to babies being born prematurely. A recent study found that the effects of air pollution on foetal development are similar to that of a mother smoking through her pregnancy.

The Scottish Government is doing the right thing by pledging to introduce four LEZS by the end of 2020. It is increasing the chances for children to reach their full potential. Air pollution is a public health crisis. We would not imagine giving our children dirty water to drink. In years to come we will not be able to imagine how we let children breathe dirty air for so long.

The article suggested a ban on cars is imminent or in force, which is not the case and has never been proposed, either by the Scottish Government, or by ourselves.

We want a phased approach to introducing LEZS, with restrictions initially imposed on buses, lorries and vans. Cars would eventually be included at an appropriate date but certainly not before 2020. We want to see LEZS help speed up the turnover of the fleet faster than would occur otherwise, but without crippling motorists.

Rather than a “ban”, what is proposed is a national penalty scheme for LEZS, which could be set at a standard rate for all vehicles, or a variable rate depending on vehicle class.

Penalties could be set within bands with upper and lower limits, and could vary across different classes of vehicles. Any proposal to entirely ban diesel cars has explicitly been ruled out by the LEZ consultation.

Similarly, the claim that “Motorists would otherwise risk fines of more than £20 per day” is unsubstantiated. The consultation document does not propose a level at which tolls would be set but instead reflects on examples from overseas.

The fact is that LEZS have already been proposed for a number of years, and the Scottish Government now has a live consultation on how they will develop. They are engaging with the public, and there is no risk of a blanket ban on cars in cities from tomorrow. When they are introduced, they will save lives, improve our children’s health and make our urban centres healthier and more liveable places.

EMILIA HANNA Air Pollution Campaigner Friends of the Earth Scotland Rose Street Edinburgh IRENE JOHNSTONE Head of British Lung Foundation Scotland Wellington Street

Glasgow