Local media as well as national media has recently covered the introduction of Low Emission Zones (LEZ) in major Scottish cities – Edinburgh along with Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow.
The following is adapted from an email sent to the New Town & Broughton Community Council (NTBCC) on 2 June stating that final approval by Scottish Ministers for the proposed LEZ in Edinburgh was given on 19 May. The email confirms that the proposal, as agreed at the Council’s 31 March 2022 Transport & Environment Committee, has now been approved by Scottish Ministers and came into force on 31 May 2022 – with enforcement from 1 June 2024.
NTBCC had again raised several concerns with the proposal during the final Council consultation e.g. the limited scope of the LEZ in Edinburgh, its adverse impact on residents living outside the area covered by the LEZ and the lack of effective enforcement plans. However, despite these concerns, shared by many other groups, the proposed scheme was approved at the 31 March Transport & Environment Committee without any changes from the initial proposal.
We are also unclear how this proposal will contribute to reductions in emissions to ensure compliance with the Scottish Government’s climate change objectives, specifically for carbon dioxide (CO2) – as stated below.
The specific detail of the approved Low Emission Zone can be viewed on the Council’s website here .
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