‘Excellent’ air quality – so why the need for low emission zones?
MORE than a million cars will be banned from Scotland’s four biggest cities under moves to cut emissions – despite the SNP Government’s own data showing pollution levels are already rated as ‘low’ across all the areas involved.
The Scottish Mail on Sunday can disclose that official analysis at every monitoring site in the proposed Low Emission Zones (LEZs) shows ‘green’ ratings, the lowest banding possible, for potentially harmful particles.
Crucially, nitrogen dioxide levels – the main pollutant cited by Glasgow and Edinburgh councils as the reason for introducing their LEZs – also fell within legal limits last year in all four city centres.
Commercial weather monitoring sites, meanwhile, rate the air quality in all the locations involved as ‘excellent’.
Older diesel and petrol vehicles deemed to be too environmentally unfriendly will be prohibited from city centres within the LEZs.
The first, in Glasgow, will be introduced from the start of next month – and enforced by a ring of fine-issuing spy cameras – with Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee to follow next year.
However, despite the impact on commuters and businesses, our investigation found the scientific case for the zones is undermined by official data, and the LEZs were scientifically ‘pointless’.
One environmental expert, who did not wish to be named, said: ‘Measures taken over the past decade or so, such as the introduction of electric buses, have led to pollution targets being met and indeed exceeded.
‘The introduction of further LEZs now is, therefore, pointless.’
At the monitoring station in central Glasgow, which has previously recorded the highest pollution figures in the country, nitrogen dioxide and other toxic particle levels were rated as ‘low’ every day last week.
Similarly, in central Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee, all the monitoring stations within the LEZs also
‘Gestures more important than scientific facts’
had ‘low’ pollution last week. DVLA statistics show 1.1 million vehicles in Scotland, about a third of the total, will be banned from LEZs under the new rules. Business leaders have slammed the scheme and called for a pause on enforcement.
The LEZ in Glasgow is ready to go live with signs and cameras erected. Fines will be issued to drivers in breach of the rules from June 1.
Colin Smith, chief executive of the Scottish Wholesale Association, which represents food and drinks firms, said: ‘The LEZs are affecting our members who can’t get costly replacement vehicles and end-users such as pubs, clubs and restaurants in city centres all need supplied.
‘If emission levels are already low, then the question would have to be, do we need this?
‘We would like a pause on implementation of LEZs to give businesses further time to adjust.’
Scottish Tory transport spokesman Graham Simpson said: ‘If air quality in our major cities is within legal limits or even “excellent”, it can logically only mean one of two things. Either the levels are inadequate, or the LEZs are unnecessary window-dressing.
‘The trouble is that, under the SNP Government and their extremist Green partners, virtuous gestures have become more important than scientific facts, or any consideration of the costs to ordinary people trying to go about their business.’
Glasgow City Council said: ‘It is likely a large part of the drop in air pollution levels is due to the improvement in emissions from the city’s bus fleet given the introduction of the first phase of our LEZ in 2018.’
Councillor Scott Arthur, the City of Edinburgh Council’s transport and environment convener, said: ‘While it’s heartening air quality continues to improve, further action is needed.’
A Dundee City Council spokesman said: ‘The LEZ is to be introduced to further accelerate compliance with the objective levels.’ Transport Minister Kevin Stewart said: ‘It’s welcome news LEZs are already having a positive impact on air quality ahead of wider enforcement.’