What is Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone consultation, when is the deadline and what areas will it affect?

Glasgow City Council introduced Scotland’s first Low Emission Zone in 2018, but changes planned for June 1, 2023, means all vehicles which enter the city centre must meet exhaust emission standards to avoid a penalty charge, unless exempt.

Why is the council doing this? High levels harmful nitrogen dioxide have been recorded in the city centre which do not meet statutory expectations.

The Low Emission Zone was introduced as a means of improving the impact road traffic, the main source of air pollutant, has on these levels.

Will this affect me? Those living within the Low Emission Zone will have until June 1, 2024, to meet the new requirements.

Some vehicles will also be exempt from the new penalties, including emergency service vehicles, vehicles for disabled people, historic vehicles and military vehicles.

Motorcycles, mopeds, motorised mopeds and quadricycles are also not covered by Low Emission Zone schemes in Scotland. To find out what the proposed standards are, click here.

What area will the Low Emission Zone cover? The boundary of the zone is the River Clyde to the south, High Street and then the edge of the M8 around the eastern, northern and western sides of the city centre, back to the river.

What is the consultation? The council has launched a consultation asking Glaswegians - not just those who drive - about the plans.

It is seeking to gauge how much support there is for the different elements of the proposal - the boundary, the standards and much more.

If you want to take part in the survey click here.

To learn more about the Low Emission Zone proposals, click here.