Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone
A headline in the Sunday Times on 15 January was: “Emission zone is ‘final nail in coffin’”. This related to Glasgow’s low emission zone scheme (“LEZ”) which will be fully operational from 1 June. The article went on to quote Thomas Kerr, a Scottish Conservative councillor who said: “This will have an impact on people from working-class areas who can’t afford fancy new cars and it will drive [an unintentional pun?] people away from our city centres where hospitality businesses are already suffering.”
This note will not pursue the policy issues raised in the article but simply aim to outline the scheme generally.
Phasing in of the LEZ
- The LEZ will be fully in force from 1 June 2023.
- All vehicles entering the city centre zone area will need to meet the less-polluting emission standards or face a penalty charge.
- There are some exemptions e.g. Blue badge holders will be able to register for a long-term or short-term exemption to drive in a LEZ.
- Zone residents will have extra time to comply.
- Fully electric vehicles will comply.
- Motorcycles and mopeds are unaffected.
Key dates
Glasgow’s LEZ is being phased in:
- Phase 1 (buses only) was introduced on 31 December 2018;
- Phase 2 (all vehicles) is now in operation but will not be enforced until 1 June 2023; and
- Enforcement for vehicles registered to a residential property within the zone area will start on 1 June 2024.
Zone boundaries
In broad terms Glasgow’s LEZ covers an area of the city centre bounded by the M8 motorway to the north and west, the River Clyde to the south and Saltmarket/High Street to the east. There is an interactive map here: which can pin down as to whether the zone includes a particular street.
Penalties
- From 1 June 2023 if a non-compliant vehicle is detected in the zone a Penalty Charge Notice will be issued to the registered keeper of the vehicle.
- The initial penalty charge is £60 – reduced by 50% if it is paid within 14 days.
- A scheme surcharge means that the penalty amount will double with each subsequent breach (subject to certain limits).
Does your vehicle comply?
The Glasgow City Council website currently says:
“Transport Scotland are working on an online tool that will enable motorists to check if their vehicle meets LEZ emission standards by entering their registration number.
Until this is ready, they have prepared a basic online vehicle checker.
Whilst the results are not a guarantee or proof that a vehicle can enter a LEZ, they can give an indication meantime.”
The “basic vehicle checker” to which they refer may be found here: Vehicle Checker. In its current “basic” form you cannot enter your vehicle registration number but simply state whether it is registered before 1 January 2006 or on or after 1 January 2006. If you have a petrol car with a registration date on or after 1 January 2006 the website tool says:
“It is likely your vehicle will meet the proposed minimum emission standards and will be allowed entry into a low emission zone.
To be sure, please check your logbook or with your vehicle’s manufacturer.
You may also be able to check by entering your vehicle’s details into the emissions look-up tool on the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) website.”
The Sunday Times article referred to above said that “an online tool allowing drivers to input their car registration and confirm if their vehicle will be compliant would be ready before June.” Indeed, one hopes the vehicle checker will be fully operational rather than just in its current “basic” form before penalties come into effect.
Glasgow not alone
Glasgow may be the first to become fully operational with such a scheme but Dundee will follow on 30 May 2024 and Aberdeen and Edinburgh on 1 June 2024.
The legislation
The legislation for all this is primarily contained in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, the Low Emission Zones (Scotland) Regulations 20212/26 and the Low Emission Zones (Emissions Standards, Exemptions and Enforcement)(Scotland) Regulations 2021/177.
Note: This material is for information purposes only and does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us. You should not rely upon it in making any decisions or taking or refraining from taking any action. If you would like us to advise you on any of the matters covered in this material, please contact Paul Neilly: email Paul@mitchells-roberton.co.uk