New poll sees increasing support for Scottish Low Emission Zones

A poll among 1,000 people in Scotland has shown that support for the Low Emission Zones (LEZ) in Scotland is on the rise. It was revealed that 60% of respondents support the LEZ introductions, compared to 53% one year ago. The share of people opposing the schemes has slowly decreased also, from 23 % in 2023 to 21% in 2024. Glasgow was found to be the city with the highest support, at 62%.

The poll comes ahead of the introduction of the Dundee, Aberdeen and Edinburgh LEZs and just days after figures revealed that Glasgow City Council has made more than £1 million in fines over the first 10 month of its LEZ enforcement. According to the council, the fines are used for investments in net-zero and clean air projects.

Fiona Hyslop, Scottish Transport Secretary, stated: “It’s encouraging to see growing support for Low Emission Zones, which are designed to protect public health by improving air quality. Beyond the full enforcement of Scotland’s LEZs by 1 June, we’re continuing to invest over £2 billion a year on public transport, delivering ambitious policies such as free bus travel for the U22s (people of age under 22 years), the extension of the peak fares pilot for rail travel and continued investment in active travel to make walking, wheeling and cycling easier for more people. By encouraging a shift away from cars and towards sustainable transport, we make our city centres better places to live, work in and visit – while at the same time protecting public health and the climate.”

The poll was commissioned by the health charity Asthma + Lung UK Scotland and delivered by Opinion Matters. Gareth Brown, chair of Healthy Air Scotland and policy and public affairs officer at Asthma + Lung UK Scotland said: “We want to see politicians from all parties coming together to tackle air pollution and encourage behavioural change. With greater investment in public transport and active travel, and exemptions for the most vulnerable, we want to see our cities to be far healthier places, where people aren’t exposed to unhealthy air.”