75PC OF DIESELS BANNED IN CITIES BY 2020
SNP plan to target drivers would mean...
THE war against diesel escalated yesterday amid moves to ban all but the latest models from Scotland’s four biggest city centres within two years. Ultra-low emission zones (LEZs) will be introduced in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee by 2020, and in other towns and cities by 2023.
It is estimated that threequarters of existing diesel vehicles will be prevented from entering key city centre streets under the plans announced by ministers. New rules are likely to hit diesel cars registered before September 2015 and petrol cars registered before January 2006.
Motoring groups believe that 40 per cent of all cars in use north of the Border would fall foul of the new rules. A network of automatic number plate recognition cameras will enforce the new system – with owners who transgress facing penalty
charge notices. Diesel drivers are being targeted because – apart from the newest models – their cars tend to produce more toxic nitrogen oxide than petrol versions.
Ministers have also indicated that they could seek to ban all conventional vehicles from LEZs in future, in line with a target of phasing them out by 2032.
IAM RoadSmart, formerly the Institute of Advanced Motorists, estimated that 738,000 diesel cars would be affected – around 75 per cent of the national total. A further 244,000, or 17 per cent, of petrol cars would also be hit – meaning an estimated 40 per cent of all cars in Scotland will be impacted.
Critics accused ministers of driving through an ‘anti-car agenda’.
The proposals were contained in the Transport (Scotland) Bill, published at Holyrood yesterday. Other key measures include a ban on pavement parking and reforms of bus services.
Neil Greig, director of policy and research at IAM RoadSmart, said: ‘This is very bad news for people with older diesel vehicles. If this is confirmed, and it sounds like it will be, everyone with older diesel vehicles will be banned or have to pay to enter city centres.
‘For many businesses it will be a real problem because perfectly serviceable vehicles will not be allowed to access streets they previously took for granted and that could be a big economic problem.
‘A lot of people will be shocked that “Euro 5” diesel vehicles which
‘Not be allowed to access streets’
are well maintained and lookedafter will no longer be allowed in city centres.’
The Bill says the Scottish Government will set out ‘consistent standards for emissions, penalties and certain exemptions’.
Detailed proposals will be provided in further legislation, although it states that it is a ‘reasonable assumption’ that standards will be ‘consistent with the general leading emission standards for low emission zones established in Europe’. This is set at ‘Euro 4’ for petrol cars and ‘Euro 6’ for diesel.
Donald Cameron, environment spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives, said: ‘No one disputes the importance of having cleaner air, and ensuring Scotland keeps up with the rest of the developed world when it comes to vehicle pollution. But a balance has to be struck and we must factor in the needs of people and businesses.
‘Motorists already feel like the Scottish Government has an anticar agenda, and some of these proposals would exacerbate that.’ Hugh Bladon, of the Association of British Drivers, said: ‘The huge problem about this is those who drive older cars are on lower incomes. They are penalising the people who can least afford it.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘It remains the Scottish Government’s intention to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032.’
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: ‘This Bill will allow for decriminalised enforcement of Low Emission Zones, double parking and parking on pavements. This will help transform our towns and cities into cleaner, more accessible and more pleasant spaces to travel and enjoy.’
In contrast, UK Business Secretary Greg Clarke last month said that diesels ‘still have a place’ on Britain’s roads. He suggested drivers of old cars could help the environment by swapping them for modern versions.
Colin Borland, head of devolved nations for the Federation of Small Businesses, said: ‘There is potentially a big cost for businesses. Obviously if people have an ageing fleet and need to replace it that is going to come at a cost.
‘We think there needs to be some sort of scrappage scheme so people that need to change vehicles can get some help with that.’
A Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders spokesman said the organisation recognised the air quality challenge but feared a ban would ‘undermine the new vehicle market’ and ‘hold back fleet renewal’, which in itself would improve urban air quality.
‘Instead, industry wants to see a positive approach, which gives consumers and businesses confidence in the latest advanced low emission vehicles, whatever their fuel type. This must be done without unfairly penalising motorists who have invested in their vehicles in good faith,’ he said.
The Scottish Taxi Federation has previously said that two-thirds of taxis in Glasgow and Edinburgh currently have older engines, prompting the Scottish Government to consider issuing grants towards retrofitting the vehicles.
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