Is it time Glasgow city centre said goodbye to the private motor car?

The arguments for include reducing congestion, allowing buses to flow more freely through the streets and improve journey times.

It would also improve air pollution. Cars are responsible for most pollution in city centres which is damaging the health of the population.

Air pollution contributes to respiratory conditions like asthma and is a factor in heart disease and Glasgow has a high rate of these conditions.

Studies have shown that 40,000 early deaths in the UK are down to air pollution.

City centres pose a specific problem as the modern pollution is produced at street level though exhaust fumes and the higher buildings trap the pollutants in a canyon.

Arguments against include the economic impact it would have on city centre shops and other businesses.

Business leaders are against a charge fearing it would make the city centre less attractive and push even more customers into the hands of their competitors in the out of town malls.

High streets are struggling already and any further disincentive would make matters worse it is argued.

The reasons for curbing car use in the city centre are based on health, the reasons against are based on money.

A congestion charge has been raised and is now a real possibility.

It doesn’t ban cars, it just puts a cost on driving into the city centre.

So if you can afford it you would be free to drive through the streets polluting the lungs and veins of your fellow citizens.

It is not just the traffic arteries that at are being clogged by too many cars and buses.

The LEZ is a good starting point mainly because next to nothing has been done in recent years to tackle pollution from vehicles.

Unlike the air some things are clear in this debate.

The city centre needs and will benefit from fewer cars.

But we do need improved properly connected public transport for all to ensure there is a viable alternative to the car. and not just on the main profitable routes.

Between the buses, Subway and train network Glasgow should have a public transport system as good as other city.

We need greater control over public transport to ensure it is fully connected and cost effective.

And sometimes you may need to walk. You might even enjoy it.