Glasgow LEZ: Pollution is worse than before
Glasgow LEZ has not helped decease pollution a year on from being introduced
Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) has seen pollution increase a year on from being introduced.
Data shows that Glasgow City Council’s aim to improve air quality by restricting older cars that omit nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from entering the city has not been met.
New statistics show that in the first three months of 2024, a monitoring station at Hope Street has recorded a rise in NO2 levels compared with the same period – before the LEZ was introduced, the Mail on Sunday reported.
The key station recorded that levels of NO2 were at 44.2 micrograms per cubic meter across January, February and March, an increase of 1.7 since last year.
The zone which was introduced in June 2023 affects vehicles that are not Euro 4 (petrol) and Euro 6 (diesel) compliant, imposing a £60 fine on drivers for their first offence. If repeatedly driving in the zone with a restricted car, a charge of up to £480 can be issued.
Shadow transport minister Graham Simpson MSP said the people of Glasgow are “paying a heavy price” for the restrictions, saying: “Nearly a year on from the rollout of SNP-Greens shambolic low emission zone, it is clear it is not even meeting its main objective to improve air quality.
“Other councils planning on similar low emission zones must learn serious lessons before people in their areas are hit in the pocket during a cost-of-living crisis.”
Other monitoring stations around the zone have also seen little improvement with a station in Anderston, on the edge of the LEZ, has recorded that emissions are up by 35 per cent.
Alongside Glasgow, there are also restrictions in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee.
