New clean-air scheme set to ‘create hassle’

Awaste removal boss in Dundee will be £60,000 out of pocket after replacing two vans in order to comply with the city’s new low emission zone.

The clean-air scheme for the city centre went live today.

Drivers of older and more polluting vehicles face a £60 fine if entering the zone.

The ring road broadly acts as the boundary.

William Whyte has been driving in the city centre “every day for the last 20 years” through work for his Whyte Contracts firm.

The former Black Watch soldier thinks Dundee city centre isn’t big enough for a low emission zone to be effective – all while making life for residents and businesses more difficult.

He said: “I’m all for doing something for the planet. We recycle at least 80% of what we collect.

“This is going to create hassle for a lot of people who need to come in and out of the city centre without really making a difference to the air quality – I think this is a mistake.”

Mr Whyte said his old vans had “plenty of life” left in them.

“While they were fairly old at 2007 and 2010, they never left Dundee so don’t have that high a mileage on them.”

While there is a two-year grace period before enforcement begins on the low emission zone in Dundee city centre, Mr Whyte wanted to get ahead of the game for fear inflation continues to spiral out of control.

Mr Whyte had to get the vans, a Renault Trafic and a Maxus Deliver 9 Tipper, on finance – something he usually avoids.

By the time the payments are complete, he will have forked out around £60,000.

Mr Whyte added: “I never get things on credit. I prefer buying outright.

“That just wasn’t possible here, so I’m going to have to swallow up the expense.

“If I don’t have vehicles on the road, then I’m not earning any money, so I don’t really have a choice.”

Residents of Dundee city centre are also worried about how the low emission zone will impact them.

Among them is Richard Green and his long-term partner Jacqui Rae.

The couple are moving into a wheelchair-friendly home in Candle Lane, just off the Seagate, after Ms Rae suffered a stroke.

While the couple will likely be able to get a blue badge, thereby meaning their vehicle will be exempt, they still have misgivings.

Mr Green said: “What about people who need to visit us, such as friends and family? Some people, like us, rely on a car for health reasons.”

Mr Green agrees “something has to be done about air quality”, but feels a proper park and ride facility needs to be introduced first to make life easier for residents.

“The city centre needs people. This is just redistributing pollution elsewhere,” he added.

Dundee City Council has been approached for comment.

EXPENSE: Business owner William Whyte with his new truck. Picture by Kim Cessford.