"Your fine isn't invisible, the killer is": Dundee LEZ charges labelled necessary as almost 3,000 charges issued
Professor Jill Belch warns that the LEZ is vital for Dundee's children's health
Almost 3,000 penalty charge notices have been handed out to Dundee’s motorists for breaching low emission zone (LEZ) in its first six weeks.
The fines imposed between May 30 – when the zone became legally enforceable – and last Friday total £88,980 if paid within two weeks of being issued.
Dundee City Council has handed out 2,966 charges in that period, with the local authority collecting just under £40,000 so far.
Speaking about the LEZ’s impact on Dundonian’s health, Professor Jill Belch from Dundee University said: “Remember, when you have an LEZ, you're decreasing really toxic fumes.
“And we know that in days of high pollution, you not only have an increase in adults being admitted to hospital, but you have an increase in children being admitted.
“A lot of the effects on children are actually permanent – permanent lung damage, permanent damage to their brain.
“We know from other LEZ’s - for example, in Tokyo and in the states - that you get a decrease in infant mortality over the period of an LEZ.
“So, pay your fine and save the health of our children.”
LEZs are designed to combat air pollution and greenhouse emissions in Scotland’s four largest cities – Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee.
A step forward for the city
When looking at the impact of LEZ’s in Glasgow city centre and elsewhere in Scotland, Professor Belch said: “The interesting thing is that although there was an initial fall off in footfall, a lot of that was down to people working at home in Glasgow.
“And when you look at evenings and weekends, the footfall is absolutely identical and it's back to normal and it's so invisible. People don't realise it.”
Professor Belch is passionate about the benefits the scheme will bring for he public’s health and that a ‘grin and bear it’ approach is the way forward. She said: “But we really just have to solve it. I guess people just haven't got used to it yet and hopefully they will.
“It’s all about putting it into proportion and fines are a pest, but you know it's going to be for our greater good in the long term.”
“Your fine isn't invisible, the killer is."
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Maximum fines carry a hefty price
Drivers who enter the zone in offending vehicles are fined £60, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.
The fine is doubled for every ensuing time a motorist breaks the rules.
Maximum fines are £480 for smaller vehicles and £960 for buses, coaches and HGV lorries.
According to the council’s figures – no drivers have been charged the maximum penalty of £960.
“Drivers who receive a penalty notice charge are encouraged to pay promptly either through the Dundee City Council website, an automated telephone service or by post in order to benefit from this discount.
“The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 states that all income from the Low Emission Zone must be first used to facilitate the scheme.”