Scotland's first Low Emission Zone (LEZ) came into effect in Glasgow city centre on 31 December 2018, the first step in transforming the city centre into a cleaner, healthier place for everyone to enjoy.
A Low Emission Zone is an area where people may not drive a vehicle which does not meet a specified emission standard, and that applies to all types of vehicles.
The aim of LEZs is to reduce pollution levels and improve air quality in areas where standards are not being met and while most people recognise and support the need for them, there will also be a penalty notice approach in place to effectively ban non-compliant vehicles.
Air pollution has a negative effect on everyone’s health, especially the very young, the elderly and those with existing respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
It’s something everyone is aware of and can help change, with the Low Emission Zones being introduced over a period of time to allow people to make any necessary preparation, such as changing their vehicles.
Glasgow needs Low Emission Zones, because levels of harmful nitrogen dioxide in the city centre are being recorded at levels which do not meet statutory expectations. The main source of this air pollutant within the city is from road traffic, all of which will be targeted in an effort to make life healthier for everyone.
Glasgow's LEZ is being phased in over the next four years, starting with local service buses. By 31 December 2022 when the LEZ is fully implemented, all vehicles entering the zone will have to meet specified exhaust emission standards.
A LEZ is capable of bringing about a significant improvement in air quality, which in turn will make Glasgow city centre more pleasant and attractive for those living, working and visiting here. Glasgow's LEZ will protect public health through tackling air pollution from road traffic in the city, ensure that Glasgow moves more rapidly towards meeting Scottish and EU air quality objectives and contribute to broader objectives and the vision by the City Government to lower vehicle emissions and promote active travel.
It will also benefit other areas across the city and help prevent any further pollution. Whilst Glasgow's LEZ will target those streets currently experiencing the highest levels of pollution, the benefits will be felt throughout Glasgow as cleaner vehicles travel into the city centre from outlying areas.
As more Low Emission Zones are being introduced across Europe, the positive impact of these on the air quality can now be assessed, with many European cities now having them in place long enough to be able to show how they can improve health. They are one of many measures being implemented to improve air quality and health, and hopefully help people live longer and better lives. Introduced by governments and councils, they also allow everyone to play a part in making our cities cleaner and help nurture a sense of personal responsibility in the ongoing war against pollution.
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