Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone: How It Will Affect You.
Scotland’s first low emission zone is set to come fully into effect in Glasgow on 1 June. Vehicles that don’t meet emission standards will be restricted from entering parts of the city centre, and owners face escalating fines. Glasgow City Council is urging people to plan ahead. Here’s what you need to know:
How large is the city’s emission zone?
The LEZ covers an area bounded by the M8 motorway to the north and west, the River Clyde to the south, and the Saltmarket/High Street to the east. The M8 itself is not part of the low emission zone. Signs and road markings have been installed at all entry points, and automatic number plate recognition cameras are being set up.
Will my car be able to enter the zone?
Generally, petrol vehicles registered from 2006 onwards and diesel engine vehicles registered after September 2015 meet the required standards. Transport Scotland offers a website to check vehicle compliance. Exemptions from the scheme include blue badge holders, motorbikes, mopeds, and emergency vehicles. Residents within the zone have until June 2024 to comply, and some taxis in Glasgow have also been granted extra time.
What are the penalties?
Owners of non-compliant vehicles detected within the low emission zone initially face a £60 fine. The penalty charge doubles with each subsequent breach, maxing out at £480 for cars and light goods vehicles and £960 for buses and HGVs. Once these caps are reached, the maximum fine is imposed daily for entering the zone. The rate resets to £60 after 90 days without breaches. Penalties are reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days.
Why is the low emission zone being created?
The LEZ aims to tackle poor air quality, as many streets in Scotland regularly experience harmful and illegal pollution levels. Before the pandemic, nitrogen dioxide concentrations on Glasgow’s Hope Street were 50% above the safe legal limit. These numbers fell during lockdown and following the LEZ’s implementation for the most polluting buses. According to a 2020 Centre for Cities report, 600 deaths per year in Scotland could be attributed to air pollution. LEZs are also seen as essential tools for addressing climate change.
Why is Glasgow the first in Scotland?
Glasgow has long struggled with the country’s highest pollution levels. Since 2009, the council has been exploring ways to introduce a LEZ, along with other measures to reduce vehicle numbers in the city centre. Glasgow has had a LEZ in place since 2018, initially covering only buses, meaning much of the required infrastructure, such as signage, is already in place.
What’s happening in other cities?
Technically, Scotland’s four largest cities all introduced LEZs last year. However, Aberdeen, Dundee, and Edinburgh announced a two-year grace period, postponing enforcement until 2024. These rules are not as strict as some UK schemes, like Oxford’s zero emissions zone. In contrast to Scotland’s approach, London’s ultra low emissions zone requires drivers to pay a fee, which critics argue disproportionately impacts people with lower incomes.
