Edinburgh Council expected to give go ahead to LEZ

Plans to introduce a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Edinburgh will be actioned if approved by the committee this week. 

In October 2021, the Transport and Environment Committee agreed that further analysis needed to be carried out on the LEZ’s role in reducing carbon emissions before final approval. 

On Thursday (January 27) committee members will consider a report which notes that while the LEZ will take significant steps towards tackling poor air quality, there are limits to how much the fossil-fueled vehicles that are allowed within the zone will reduce carbon emissions. 

The report recommends that the council proceed with the scheme with no changes to the boundary or grace period, meaning an LEZ would be introduced in the city centre this spring, with enforcement to begin in 2024.

A separate Air Quality Annual Progress report to the committee shows a continued decline in air pollution across the city.

As a result, one of Edinburgh’s five Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) declared for breaches of national NO2 objectives – Inverleith Row – is set to be revoked, after three consecutive years of compliance, which is a sign of progress.

Cllr Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener said: ‘The LEZ put forward for approval in October followed several years of planning, modelling and analysis, in line with national frameworks, as well as consideration of feedback received through a major public consultation.

‘Additional work carried out since then to assess the scheme’s impact on carbon emissions, as well as the proposed boundaries and grace period, demonstrates that these proposals are appropriate for the city.

‘The LEZ, alongside a range of ambitious projects to improve air quality, will encourage cleaner transport and support active travel, and is key to achieving cleaner air for everyone.’

The LEZ will apply to all motor vehicles, except motorcycles and mopeds, and with a two-year grace period. Once the LEZ is in place, vehicles must meet a minimum emissions standard to enter the zone freely, and those that don’t will be considered non-compliant and subject to penalties. Penalty charges are set nationally at £60 for non-compliant vehicles (though halved if paid within 30 days), with the penalty rate roughly doubling for subsequent contraventions to a maximum level depending on the vehicle.