Glasgow LEZ: Traffic pollution levels have fallen in its first year

New data shows that the levels of air pollution caused by cars in Glasgow have fallen after the first year of the city's Low Emission Zone (LEZ).

however, many roads in Glasgow city centre are as still as busy as they used to be, according to a study on the impact of the LEZ brought in last summer.

Researchers from the University of Glasgow looked at readings of the harmful nitrogen taken by monitoring stations.

They found a drop of up to 13% on Hope Street - which used to be notorious as one of the most polluted in the country - but traffic patterns remained steady.

There was a bigger improvement on High Street but fewer vehicles are using it.

The council's air quality report for last year depicted an average 20% drop in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels in the city centre and LEZ area.

Areas outside of the city centre, where heavily polluting vehicles are not restricted, saw a 15.3% drop in the harmful air pollutant.

Some areas within the city centre, including Gordon Street and under the railway bridge at Heilanman’s Umbrella, are still breaching the legal limits for NO2 pollution.

However, bosses at Glasgow City Council maintain the first year of the project has shown "promising" results.

The pollution hotspots will continue to be monitored.

Transport convenor, councillor Angus Millar said: "This new air pollution data is a really positive start for Glasgow's LEZ.

"What we've seen for the new data for the year of 2023, the first year during which the LEZ was introduced, is a 20% reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels within the city centre.

"And that's really important because that's exactly why the LEZ was introduced, to deal with those levels of harmful air pollution that contribute to over 300 deaths a year in Glasgow and extensive health conditions for large parts of the population.

"So this early sign of progress is really, really welcome.

"Obviously, there's more work to do. There are still a number of locations where there are breaches of the legal limits of air pollution.

"It's going to be really crucial to see next year's data, which will reflect the full rollout of the LEZ and the end of some of those exemptions that have been granted to particular groups to allow them more time to comply.

"I think that will really be when we will see the full effect of the LEZ."

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