Everything you need to know as Glasgow city centre LEZ given green light

The LEZ was approved by Scottish Ministers, although enforcement will not start for at least a year.

Glasgow is introducing the measure in order to improve air quality, with many older vehicles banned from the city centre.

When is the LEZ starting in Glasgow?

The LEZ is already in place for buses and will apply to other vehicles from June 1, 2023.

Those living within the LEZ boundary have additional time to prepare, with the enforcement start date for vehicles registered to a residential address within the zone, deferred until 1 June 2024. 

How will the Glasgow LEZ work and what are the fines?

Only compliant vehicles can be brought into the LEZ, which will cover the city centre.

Petrol cars and vans will need to have engines at the Euro 4 standard, which generally applies to vehicles registered after 2006.

Diesel-powered cars and vans will need to be at the Euro 6 standard, mainly applying to vehicles registered after 2015.

Blue badge holders are exempt from LEZ requirements.

Penalties for bringing a non-compliant vehicle into the LEZ will typically be set at £60, halved to £30 if paid early.

Local authorities will use automatic number plate recognition technology to fine drivers who fail to adhere to the restrictions.

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Why do we need a LEZ in Glasgow?

As road traffic is the main source of the harmful air pollutant nitrogen dioxide, Glasgow City Council said the LEZ would be an essential measure to protect public health by tackling longstanding breaches of air quality objectives in the city centre.

Bosses said the design of Glasgow’s LEZ would also support the city’s wider climate change ambitions by encouraging a shift away from private car use towards more sustainable forms of transport.

They added the inclusion of all vehicles would maximise the health and environmental benefits deliverable and builds upon the first (bus-only) phase of Glasgow’s LEZ.

What cities in Scotland are introducing LEZs?

Besides Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee are also introducing an LEZ.

In Edinburgh and Aberdeen, enforcement will begin on June 1, 2024.

In Dundee, enforcement begins on May 30, 2024.

Councillor Angus Millar, city convener for climate, Glasgow Green Deal, transport and city centre recovery said: "I’m pleased that Glasgow’s LEZ plans have secured the backing of Scottish Ministers.

“Glasgow has made good progress in tackling air pollution in recent years, in no small part thanks to the success of the early stages of LEZ roll-out which has dramatically improved the emission standards of buses on our city centre streets.

"But we still have stubbornly high levels of harmful air pollution in some parts of the city centre, which is why restricting access to the most polluting vehicles is vital to protect public health and ensure our city centre is a more appealing and healthier place to be.

"We will continue to raise awareness and understanding of Glasgow's LEZ ahead of full enforcement as well as encourage and support compliance through a range of initiatives and projects, including those that encourage a switch to active and more sustainable forms of travel and a reduced reliance on private car."

Joseph Carter, head of Asthma and Lung UK Scotland said: “Glasgow’s LEZ is a game-changer for public health in the city centre and sets the precedent for the roll-out of clean air plans across Scotland’s towns and cities that will protect future generations from the dangers of breathing in dirty air. 

"Air pollution is an invisible killer that causes new lung conditions such as lung cancer and worsens existing ones, with the potential to trigger life-threatening asthma attacks and flare-ups and can even stunt the growth of children’s lungs.  

“We would like to see wider action to tackle toxic air throughout the city and surrounding areas, not just in the city centre.

"This includes safer streets for walking and cycling, cleaner public transport and pollution-busting schemes outside of all schools.” 

Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth said: “The introduction of low emission zones is a truly significant public health moment for Scotland.

“Our air quality is generally good – but for too long air pollution has exceeded legal limits for health in our city centres as a consequence of unrestricted vehicle emissions.

“We have a moral responsibility to act. Air pollution often disproportionally impacts those with the least in our society.

“It causes the most damage to the youngest, the oldest and those with pre-existing medical conditions.”

She continued: “LEZs are the biggest change we’ve ever seen in how vehicles will access our cities – and they need to be, in order to best protect public health and improve air quality.

“With a year to go until the earliest point of enforcement in Glasgow and two years to go until enforcement in Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen, I encourage everyone to visit www.lowemissionzones.scot to find out more about the schemes, including the Scottish Government funding on offer.”