The businessman behind the legal challenge to stop Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone says the fight continues.

Phase two of the LEZ begins to be enforced today in the city centre for cars and commercial vehicles.

As revealed in the Glasgow Times Patons Auto Repair Centre launched a bid at the Court of Session for an interim order to suspend the start of the LEZ to allow it to seek a judicial review.

READ MORE:Court bid to halt Glasgow's Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) rejected

The court rejected the application on Wednesday and ruled the enforcement could go ahead.

William Paton, director of the firm, however, says northing has changed in relation to the overall legal challenge.

Glasgow Times: William Paton

He said the interim order is only one step in the process and lawyers acting for the firm are still going ahead with the application for a judicial review.

Speaking to the Glasgow Times following the verdict, he said: “Nothing has changed.

“We just lost on the interim order. We are still going forward for judicial review.

“This decision does not affect the case.”

The next step is to ask the court to allow it to be heard despite a time bar that any challenge should have been brought sooner.

Mr Paton said: “If we can overcome the time bar, we can present the evidence against the LEZ.”

He added it would be disappointing if it was lost on a legal technicality rather than on the merit of the argument.

READ MORE:Spotlight: Glasgow's new LEZ coming soon. Here's what you need to know

As previously reported by the Glasgow Times, Patons commissioned research into Glasgow’s air quality based on the results of the monitoring stations around the city.

The firm said it found that the objective of the LEZ, to reduce pollution to within the legal limits had been achieved by Phase one of the LEZ, for buses, in place since 2018.

It argues phase two is not necessary and it will harm businesses.

Other motor trade companies in the Townhead area have said they will lose trade and jobs are at risk.

Taxi owners and drivers have said they face being put off the road and a number of charities have said they face high bills to upgrade or buy new vehicles to comply.

The Council said the LEZ is necessary to continue to improve the city’s air quality.

Angus Millar, convenor for transport, said there are still illegally high levels of pollution in the city centre and vehicle emissions are the main driver.

It has the backing of health charities like Asthma + Lung Scotland, who said:  “We know that low emission zones are one of the most effective ways to tackle air pollution caused by vehicles, quickly.”