Glasgow Low Emission Zone delay appeal heard by council
Glasgow’s proposed low emission zone could be set for a delay, following a motion from councillors today.
The LEZ had been set to be put in place in June, to combat dangerously high nitrogen dioxide levels.
However, Conservative councillor John Daly has pushed a motion to have it postponed, due to financial pressure following the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.
Fines of either £30 or £60 would be applied to drivers whose vehicles did not meet the new emissions standards.
Jon McGeough of Glasgow Taxis supports the delay, due to the relief it would bring to the industry. He said: “It’s about the recovery time.
“We’re not against the LEZ, we just need a little more time to recover. Half of the fleet doesn’t comply, and they [the council] move the goalposts to suit themselves.”
STV reveal that around 200 Glasgow taxis are yet to be modified to meet the standards.
Another proposal is a motion to drop the speed limit in the city centre stretch of the M8.
Greens councillor Christy Mearns is pushing to have the limit dropped to 30 miles per hour.
Climate activist Laura Young hopes this, coupled with the LEZ, will result in fewer people using climate-damaging transport. She said: “We need to put in this low emission zone, but then also look at how we can support people.
“We need good, accessible, affordable and reliable public transport, so that people can easily get to city centre locations that they might have to go to for work or for leisure.”
Mr McGeough disagrees, feeling that the new limit would bring with it too much hassle, continuing: “It’s not practical.
“It wouldn’t work for anybody, not just us. You would see a massive change around the city.”
Glasgow City Council says that current levels of emissions “can cause health problems, particularly for those most vulnerable”.
