Businesses and public grealty support Scottish plans for Low Emission Zone introduction

Transport Scotland's consultation on the introduction of Low Emission Zones in Scotland identified that there is a large support from businesses and public. From September to November 2017, the consultation publicly asked stakeholders for their opinion on low emission zones, as well as how these could be designed.

Around 95 % of consultation participants were in favour of introducing low emission zones meaning that there is an overwhelming support for the initiative. Of the presented design proposals, two-thirds of the answers supported a roll-out of the Scottish LEZs allowing entry for diesel cars and buses with EURO 6/VI emission standards and for petrol cars meeting EURO 4 standards. Most respondents see exemptions as being necessary for some vehicles, such as emergency vehicles. However, any exemption should be the same across all future LEZs in the country. Respondents beleived that the LEZs should be in place continuously, i.e. 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. However, most respondents called for lead-in times for the LEZs and for consideration to be given to having LEZs in place for a defined length of time. Automatic number-plate recognition was considered to be the best enforcement option by more than 9 out of 10 respondents.

Significant support was also given to the introduction of complementary actions to reduce car trips. These encompassed a wide range of options, such as promoting public transport through bus priority measures or improving the conditions for walking and cycling, including by providing better infrastructure through lanes and routes. One of the elements that received a mixed response was the operating model for the low emission zones: no clear statement was concluded as to whether LEZs should work with road access restriction schemes or charging schemes. It was considered that a restriction scheme was more likely to support behavioural change than pure charging.

The Scottish Government is now proceeding with the installation of low emission zones, starting with Glasgow with the aim of having its LEZ in place by the end of this year. By 2020, plans are to introduce schemes in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee and by 2023 in all Air Quality Management Areas.

Scotland’s Minister of Transport Humza Yousaf stressed that any installation of low emission zones will be done in partnership with local authorities, industry and regional transport authorities.

The full consultation reponses document can be accessed here: https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/41828/analysis-report-february-201…

Story first published by fleetworld.co.uk on 13th of March 2018.