One month to go for Glasgow Low Emission Zone
Drivers are being urged to check if their car meets the new standards
Today is one month to go until the new Low Emission Zone (LEZ) comes into place in Glasgow.
The scheme, which comes begins on June 1, is aiming to reduce the level of pollution in the city centre and will see people driving older diesel or petrol vehicles hit with fines.
Drivers in the city are being urged to check their vehicles will meet the new LEZ standards.
Any diesel vehicles registered before September 2015 and petrol vehicles registered before 2006 will be hit with a £60 fine if they enter the LEZ.
"There's still more work to be done"
Chair of Healthy Air Scotland and Policy and Public Affairs for Asthma + Lung Scotland, Gareth Brown, believes it's a good way to reduce pollution, saying “the Low Emission Zone has already been effective in reducing the air pollution from buses, especially in some of Glasgow and Scotland’s streets, like Hope Street, as these are some of the most polluted streets in Scotland.
“The LEZ for buses was introduced in Scotland in 2019, and Glasgow has seen below the limits of legal air pollution levels for the first time, but there’s still more work to be done as we enforce other vehicles.”
Glasgow has higher rates of hospitalisation than the rest of the country for both children and adults with asthma, and people with COPD, but only 31% of lower-income households have a car.
Gareth said: “air pollution does disproportionally impact the poorest and those most at risk of developing lung conditions, and those most at risk are also less likely to own a car and contribute to Glasgow’s air pollution problems.”
"We know LEZs work"
Friends of the Earth Scotland are in favour of the move, and Gavin Thomson, transport campaigner for the group said: “we know that LEZs work because they’re in place across Europe, and Glasgow’s zone has already had a positive impact.
“We know the LEZ has a lot of support, as people are worried about the impact of air pollution on their health, and we also know that the zone will help the city address climate change, as we move to more sustainable modes of travel.”