Dundee low emission zone plan under fire.

ENVIRONMENT: Public consultation on Dundee plans which are attacked for road’s omission

A proposed Low Emission Zone (LEZ) within Dundee’s inner ring road is “not ambitious enough”, it has been claimed.

The LEZ, which has taken a step closer after councillors last night agreed to begin a public consultation, could see polluting vehicles banned from the city centre by the end of 2020.

However, during deputations at the community safety and public protection committee, it was claimed by both the British Lung Foundation and Friends of the Earth that more options should be given to locals.

The proposed Dundee zone would stretch across the centre, bordered by east, west, and north Marketgait and Dock Street.

Older lorries, vans, and diesel cars registered before August 21 2015, and petrol cars registered before 2006, may effectively be banned or pay extra to enter.

A council taskforce was established in September last year to lead the development of the zone in Dundee, which has three of Scotland’s 10 most polluted streets.

The Seagate, regularly deemed third worst in Scotland, would be included in the current version of the zone, while

“We believe the people of Dundee should be given more options. CHELSEA GILLIES OF THE BRITISH LUNG FOUNDATION

Lochee Road, currently ranked fifth, would not.

Chelsea Gillies, from the British Lung Foundation, said not including the busy road was a mistake.

She said: “This is a public health emergency and it warrants a more ambitious plan.

“Emissions cause a reduction in life expectancy and premature death.

“We are able to see from our own research increased visits to GPS and Ninewells Hospital in areas with high pollution. We must be looking at ways of reducing illness.

“It’s disappointing that Lochee Road and West Marketgait are not included.

“We believe the people of Dundee should be given more options.

“We wholeheartedly support any measures which reduce pollution and we acknowledge it can be a controversial topic but we think something more ambitious should be introduced.”

Gavin Thomson, from Friends of the Earth Tayside, also claimed Lochee Road should be part of the zone, while many councillors said the omission of the street was concerning.

The drastic changes to transport are necessitated by the Scottish Government’s promise to create an LEZ in the country’s four biggest cities.

The SNP administration has also pledged to phase out all petrol and diesel cars by 2032, eight years ahead of the UK Government.

Local bus companies Xplore Dundee and Stagecoach have already come out in support of an LEZ and say they have been investing millions in eco-friendly vehicles.

An online public consultation will soon go live.