More than 6,000 fines dished out in first month of Edinburgh's LEZ
The scheme is designed to cut pollution
Edinburgh Council handed out more 6,000 fines in the first month of its Low Emission Zone (LEZ).
Drivers are given the £60 charges - which are reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days - if vehicles entering the LEZ area fail to meet emissions standards.
Edinburgh was one of three Scottish cities to introduce the scheme, which is designed to cut pollution, this summer, with Aberdeen and Dundee also implementing their own LEZ areas.
The figures released today showed 6,030 PCN fines were issued in the capital for the month of June 2024.
This is broken down as: 5,756 level 1 penalties (first contravention) and 274 level 2 penalties (second contravention). There were no penalties issued for further levels.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Scott Arthur said: “Whilst our objective is to ultimately see zero non-compliant vehicles enter our LEZ, I’m conscious that this is a process which will take time to fully materialise.
"I was encouraged to see the relatively low level of second contraventions in the figures alongside none for further levels. This shows clearly that people are getting used to the LEZ and modifying their transport habits accordingly.
“We’ve already seen that public attitudes towards LEZs are improving across Scotland, with a national poll earlier this year indicating that 60% of respondents were in favour of the zones, with just 21% opposed.
"This is clear evidence that people are seeing the many benefits of LEZs, and how they link in with our wider aims to make our city cleaner, greener and healthier for everyone.
“I’d also reiterate that any revenue that we generate from the LEZ will be reinvested into the running of the zone, with any surplus funds supporting the LEZ’s wider goals.
“These ambitious goals include achieving net zero, accommodating sustainable growth, cutting congestion, and improving air quality, amongst other commitments to create a safer and more people-friendly city. Edinburgh is a city with big ideas for the future and the LEZ forms a key part of these."