LEZ time lag will benefit city drivers

DUNDEE’S two year low emission zone (LEZ) grace period means the scheme will have little significant impact on drivers commuting into the city, it has been claimed.

Angus Council officials have investigated what the Dundee LEZ means for drivers in the county – particularly the large number of workers who commute to Dundee in their cars.

The officials concluded that residents are unlikely to be badly affected as the May 2024 enforcement date means the most polluting vehicles will already be off the road by then.

Dundee councillors confirmed the LEZ at the end of the October 2021, but the scheme won’t actually start until spring 2022 and drivers of polluting cars will not face any £60 penalty charges until May 2024.

The report states: “By this point (May 2024) petrol cars would have to be at least 19 years old to be noncompliant. Diesel cars would have to be 10 years old to fall foul of the rules.

“Whilst there are likely to be a number of diesel cars more than 10 years old, it is likely that the vast majority of private car owners in Angus will be able to drive within the LEZ.”

The report confirms “access will still be provided to three multi-storey car parks within the LEZ boundary, as well as other city centre parking locations outwith the boundary”.

The Scottish Government has tasked councils to create clean air zones in city centres which will see the worst-polluting vehicles barred from certain areas.

The coronavirus pandemic delayed the LEZ introduction but councils are now preparing to roll them out up and down the country.

Scottish Government advice was to allow for a grace period of between one and four years, with local authorities choosing the period for their own jurisdiction. The grace period is considered a “sensible measure” to allow vehicle owners time to adjust to the new rules.

Andrew Llanwarne, Friends of the Earth Tayside, feels the grace period should “capture the latest traffic data” immediately.

This would enable the LEZ to be effectively monitored “as soon as the restrictions come into force”.

He spoke about the LEZ at a recent council meeting. He suggested the LEZ is not being used to its full potential. The

LEZ seems to be regarded as a burdensome obligation imposed on the city council by the Scottish Government.”

The LEZ should instead be viewed as “a valuable opportunity to improve the quality of the air that the citizens of Dundee breathe.”

He added it could be a “significant step forward” in moving towards a “more sustainable transport system” in the coming years.”

We have approached Dundee City Council for further comment.