On Your Bike? Glasgow”s Low Emission Zone From 1st June 2023
Paul Neilly of Mitchells Roberton Solicitors discusses the implementation of Glasgow’s Low Emission’s Zone LEZ, on 1st June 2023.
Why?
Despite Glasgow’s air quality having improved in recent years, high levels of nitrogen dioxide are still recorded in the city centre. The main source of this pollutant is road traffic. The introduction of Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone (“LEZ”) is aimed at further improving air quality, protecting health, encouraging the use of less polluting vehicles (and the use of fewer private vehicles) and increasing the safety and amenity of the city centre. However, the cost of compliance and the possible knock on effect to already suffering city centre businesses cannot be ignored. Policy aside, this article simply aims to outline the scheme in general terms.
Where?
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 showing the streets affected: https://glasgowgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=a1cca42f50834e9ab30bec4769af1a09
When?
- 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.
- Enforcement for vehicles registered to a residential property within the zone area starts 1 June 2024.
- Zone residents will have extra time to comply.
Who?
All vehicles entering the city centre zone area will need to meet the less-polluting emission standards or face a penalty charge.
- Blue badge holders will be able to register for a long-term or short-term exemption to drive in a LEZ.
- Vehicles registered to a residential property within the zone area will not be caught until 1 June 2024.
- Fully electric vehicles will comply.
- Motorcycles and mopeds are unaffected.
- Dundee will follow on 30 May 2024 and Aberdeen and Edinburgh on 1 June 2024.
(So) What?
- From 1 June 2023, every day a non-compliant vehicle is detected in the zone a Penalty Charge Notice will be issued to the registered owner.
- The initial penalty charge is £60 – reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days.
- The penalty will double with each subsequent breach (subject to certain limits).
Does your vehicle comply?
An online tool using the vehicle’s registration number to see if it complies, is to be available before 1 June. Until then a basic “vehicle checker” can provide an indication but not a guarantee, that a vehicle can enter the LEZ. Please note the word “basic” and the words in italics, and make sure you check again when the more accurate online tool comes out.
The “basic vehicle checker” may be found here: https://www.lowemissionzones.scot/get-ready/vehicle-registration-checker. It asks for the vehicle’s registration date (pre or post 1 January 2006) – check your logbook or with your vehicle’s manufacturer for that.
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
Contact: pdn@mitchells-roberton.co.uk
0141 552 3422
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