Glasgow’s LEZ to include all vehicles by next year
The Glasgow Low Emission Zone (LEZ) will include all vehicles driving into the city centre from June next year, as part of a plan to maximise the positive health and environmental impacts of the scheme.
As the main source of harmful nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the city centre is from road traffic, the Glasgow LEZ is an essential measure to improve air quality, protect public health and support wider climate change ambitions by encouraging sustainable transport, according to Glasgow City Council.
Phase 1 of Glasgow’s LEZ was introduced in 2018, and Phase 2 will be implemented at the end of May 2022 and enforced from 1 June 2023, subject to Scottish Ministers approval. Enforcement for zone residents’ vehicles will start from 1 June 2024.
Cllr Anna Richardson, City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction, said: ‘Glasgow’s air quality situation is pressing, not least because of the chronically high levels of air pollution in some of our streets. Seeking to restrict the most polluting vehicles from our city centre is the right thing to do to ensure that we mitigate the health harms caused by air pollution. Whether it is the impact on cardiovascular disease and breathing conditions such as asthma, or the less obvious contribution to conditions such as dementia, diabetes or cancers, air pollution affects us all.
‘I’m delighted that the council has today approved the final scheme design for the second phase of Glasgow’s LEZ, which will see all vehicles entering the zone having to meet cleaner emissions standards to avoid a penalty charge.
‘As next June approaches, we will continue to raise awareness and understanding of Glasgow’s LEZ and engage with those most affected to encourage and support emissions compliance. We will also continue to back a wide range of projects and initiatives that ease accordance with our LEZ, including those that encourage higher levels of active and more sustainable travel and a reduced reliance on private vehicles.’
Photo by Eilis Garvey
The LEZ introduction is a good idea for those who want cleaner air. Actually, the zones are currently quite limited to the city centres. I found all 4 Scottish zones maps quite easily in a single place on the LEZ Scotland App.