GREENS councillors in Glasgow have launched a petition to ban new drive-thrus as they say the city is seeing a “deluge” of planning applications.

It comes days after a planning application was submitted for a second drive-thru at the Toryglen Asda, after a McDonald's one was built less than two years ago.

Emissions from transport are the biggest source of greenhouse gases in the country, according to Transport Scotland. 

Green councillors argue that building new drive-thrus would dampen efforts to reduce car use amid the climate emergency, as they would encourage people to drive and cause pollution by vehicle idling. 

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The petition reads: “We are in a climate emergency and we know that we all need to play our part in cutting emissions. 

“Yet Glasgow is currently seeing a deluge of planning applications for new drive-thrus from opportunistic developers who care more about profits than protecting the planet.

“Sign our petition today and join us in calling for Glasgow City Council to declare a moratorium on new drive-thrus.”

Glasgow is considered the “drive-thru capital of Scotland” with more than Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee combined, and is the third city with the most drive-thrus in the UK, according to 2021 data.

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Local communities in Glasgow have been fighting plans for new drive-thru outlets.

An application for a Starbucks drive-thru was scrapped last year after residents and politicians objected over pollution and litter concerns and claiming it would harm local businesses.

A campaign to block another drive-thru restaurant near Ibrox Stadium also resulted in developers withdrawing the application earlier this year.

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Glasgow’s first Greggs drive-thru opened in December in Drumchapel, and plans for Starbucks and Burger King drive-thrus by the Clydeside Expressway are pushing ahead, despite the Thornwood community fighting to oppose them.

In January, we reported on SNP councillor Kenny McKlean saying Glasgow City Council would not have the power to refuse planning permission for drive-thru outlets on climate change grounds.

What do you think? Should Glasgow ban new drive-thrus? Let us know in the comments and by taking part in our poll.