Welcome to LEZ (that’s Low Economy Zone)
Day One and these drivers could all face fines
BANNING thousands of motorists from Glasgow city centre will create a ‘low economy zone’, Humza Yousaf has been warned.
Car, van and bus owners will now face punishing fines if they travel into the middle of the city with a vehicle which is not considered ‘green’ enough.
As Scotland’s first Low Emission Zone (LEZ) became active yesterday, the roads were noticeably quieter than usual.
Many workers left their vehicles at home for fear of being hammered by the latest SNP/ Green sanctions on drivers.
There are also fears the drastic new curbs will scare people away from city centre pubs and restaurants.
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross yesterday blasted the roll-out of the LEZ as ‘a shambles in the making’.
But the First Minister defended the SNP council’s policy, which is set to be copied in Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen next year.
Mr Ross said: ‘As usual with the SNP, the problem with this policy is the delivery. Organisations are warning that the implementation has been poor.
‘The SNP leader has nothing positive to say to all those businesses and workers who are concerned this scheme is going to put jobs at risk. The LEZ is the latest anti-driver policy from the SNP that looks like a shambles in the making.
‘They’ve cut investment in roads, they’re not tackling Scotland’s pothole problem, they support a car park tax, they’re hiking the cost of driving.
‘The LEZ is hurting charities’ ability to function, it is risking jobs and business leaders think it’s going to create a low economy zone.’
Mr Ross added: ‘The SNP should have delayed this scheme for a year and properly listened to the concerns of charities, businesses and workers.’
Drivers will be fined £60 for every day that automatic number plate cameras catch them driving into the LEZ, up to a cap of £480 for cars and vans and £960 for lorries and buses.
The ban affects more than 730,000 Scottish vehicles, primarily diesels registered before 2015 and petrol vehicles registered before 2006.
At First Minister’s Questions yesterday, Mr Yousaf argued the LEZ would protect Glaswegians from harm caused by pollution.
He said: ‘If we had delayed, more people would have suffered in terms of their asthma, more people would have suffered because of their lung conditions, more people would have suffered because of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).’
But opponents claim the LEZ will have a damaging impact. Paul Waterson, of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, said the city already suffers from a ‘chronic lack of late-night transport provision to ensure safe and reliable transportation home for customers socialising and staff working in the city centre – something the licensed hospitality sector takes very seriously’.
Steven Grant, secretary of the Unite union’s Glasgow Cab Section, said around 300 of Glasgow’s 1,421 taxis would have been unable to enter the city centre yesterday due to their noncompliance with restrictions. He said: ‘This damaging and punitive plan is going to be devastating for our trade, without a shadow of a doubt.’