Glasgow Low Emission Zone comes into force

Scotland's first ever Low Emission Zone (LEZ) came into force from 1 January 2019 in Glasgow City Centre.

The LEZ is an important milestone for improving air quality. Glasgow's LEZ initially affects local service buses only, before being extended to all vehicle types by the end of 2022.

Whilst much has been done to improve the quality of the air we breathe, for the oldest and youngest in our society and those with existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, air quality remains an issue. Glasgow's LEZ will therefore help to reduce pollution, making our city centre a cleaner and more enjoyable place to live, work and visit.

"It's a vital step to ensure our city centre is a welcoming, healthy and pleasant place to be." Cllr Anna Richardson, Glasgow City Council

Cllr Anna Richardson, Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction said; "Delivering cleaner air is a priority for our city and so I'm delighted that Glasgow has led the way by introducing Scotland's first LEZ.

"I know from the many conversations I've had, that there's widespread support for the LEZ. It's a vital step to ensure our city centre is a welcoming, healthy and pleasant place to be.

"Whilst it'll be another four years before the emission standards required to enter our LEZ will apply to all vehicles, we want to raise awareness early to ensure that everyone is informed and has time to prepare. The success of the LEZ depends on us getting our message out there as soon as possible so we'll continue to engage with individuals and businesses in the run up to the end of 2022.

"I'm also encouraging people to find out more about Glasgow's LEZ and how it might affect them by visiting our dedicated LEZ webpages."

However environmental campaigners Friends of the Earth Scotland have called the Council's plans a 'Non Ambition Zone'. Gavin Thomson, Air Pollution Campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland commented, “300 premature deaths are caused by air pollution in Glasgow every year.  This ‘No Ambition Zone’ fails to apply any restrictions to 4 out of 5 buses and fails to impact on any other polluting vehicles entering Glasgow city centre.  Fumes from transport in the centre of Scotland’s biggest city will carry on poisoning people’s lungs for many years.

"This ‘No Ambition Zone’ fails to apply any restrictions to 4 out of 5 buses and fails to impact on any other polluting vehicles entering Glasgow city centre." Gavin Thomson, Friends of the Earth Scotland

“The signs may have gone up but almost nothing has changed in Glasgow. The Zone will only require an improvement in a tiny number of buses to meet the first year’s target, so the Zone will have done nothing more than would have happened anyway. Despite the offer of public money, private bus operators in Glasgow have been allowed to drag their heels, and people will suffer as a consequence.

“There are good things happening in Glasgow. The expansion of the cycle network, the Avenues project, and the forthcoming pedestrianisation of George Square, will all help encourage sustainable transport and improve air quality. But the buses need to be cleaned up. Glasgow City Council need to push the bus companies to stop polluting, and move more quickly to include all vehicle types in the Zone, to protect the health of Glaswegians.”

More information about Glasgow's LEZ can be found on Glasgow City Council's website and further details on the national picture on the dedicated Low Emission Zones Scotland website.

Sources: Glasgow City Council and Friends of the Earth Scotland

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