SNP to introduce new traffic pollution charge to tackle climate change

Targeted at heavy polluting lorries, buses and 4x4s, an LEZ using number plate recognition technology has covered the whole of London since 2008, and applies 365 days a year.

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The daily charge is £100 for larger vans and minibuses, and £200 for lorries, buses, coaches and other specialist heavy vehicles which do not meet clean emission standards.

There are also penalty charges of £500 and £1000 for vehicles which fail to pay the daily fee.

The LEZ charge is separate from, and in addition to, the Central London congestion charge.

There are also LEZs applying only to buses in Brighton, Norwich, Nottingham and Oxford.

One motoring organisation said the Scottish LEZ scheme was designed to “take money out of drivers’ pockets” and showed “a real hatred of anybody who drives a car”.

It is not yet known which local authority will pilot the scheme, however Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen councils have recently conducted feasibility studies into hosting a LEZ.

The cost and a schedule of charges and penalties has also to be worked out.

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Friends of the Earth Scotland said Glasgow ought to pilot the LEZ, as it had some of the worst pollution and success there would help create low emission zones in other cities.

FoE Scotland director Dr Richard Dixon said the penalty should apply initially to lorries, buses and vans which failed clean emission standards, and then be extended to taxis and cars.

He said: “We are very enthusiastic. It’s not the only thing we need to do to tackle air pollution, but it’s an important step and it’s also good for climate change.”

He said the cost of the the LEZ would depend on existing camera technology, and urged the cities with the worst pollution - Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen - to get government funding to become the pilot, as it might be five years before the second one was launched in its wake.

“If it was in any of the biggest cities it would be great, but Glasgow is definitely the prize.”

A report last week identified 38 zones in Scotland’s towns and cities where safe pollution limits are regularly broken, with Glasgow’s Hope Street and St John’s Road in Edinburgh the worst.

Environmental campaigners claim traffic fumes linked to cancer, strokes and foetal development problems are responsible for around 2500 deaths in Scotland each year.

The LEZ scheme was included in the Government’s draft Climate Change plan, which aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 66 per cent and car emissions by 33 per cent by 2032.

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It said that by then Scotland would also have a fully decarbonised electricity sector able to remove CO2 from the atmosphere; the proportion of ultra-low emission new cars and vans registered in Scotland annually will reach at least 40 per cent; and 250,000 hectares of degraded peatlands will be restored and 15,000 hectares of woodland created each year.

Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said it had set “challenging but achievable goals which will boost Scotland's productivity and foster a vibrant climate for innovation, investment and high-value jobs.”

The document said the pilot LEZ would “limit the access of vehicles that exceed emissions benchmarks while permitting unrestricted access for clean buses, vans and cars as well as smaller goods vehicles,” and added: “This first LEZ will provide a legacy upon which other Scottish LEZs could be introduced.”

There are currently around 200 planned operational LEZs of various sizes across 13 EU countries, most in Germany and Italy.

The main benefits are improving air quality and health, improving fuel efficiency, reducing transport costs through more efficient vehicles and, in Scotland, supporting plans to “decarbonise” road transport by 2050.

Downsides include a perception of fairness and potential impact on the economy.

The issue was discussed at Edinburgh City Council earlier this week, when the Green group pressed for the capital to pilot the LEZ, but the Labour-SNP administration deferred a decision until later in the year, when further details are expected.

Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Liam Kerr said: “This particular move would punish motorists and businesses – two groups the SNP has already got it in for.

“Hammering those who can only get to work by car would be extremely unfair, and send out the wrong message altogether.”

Hugh Bladon, spokesman for the Alliance of British Drivers, said: “High-polluting vehicles are not cars, they are public transport buses and lorries and vans and sometimes even taxis.

“If they want to start charging themselves for running their own buses then more fool them.

“There is a constant fight against the people who want to drive their own cars. I do not know why it is but they have a real hatred of anybody who drives a car. They will do whatever they can to take money out of drivers’ pockets.”

A spokesperson for quango Transport Scotland said: “We are determined to improve air quality and are working to ensure Scotland’s first low emission zone is in place next year.

“The Scottish Government is liaising closely with local authorities and other partners to meet this timetable. We will evaluate the scope for zones that have a specific focus on CO2.

“Significantly reducing vehicle emissions in our towns and cities will improve health, reduce pollution related illnesses and consequently bring savings to healthcare.”