The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Glasgow is now in effect.

The programme safeguards public health by reducing unacceptable high levels of dangerous air pollution that have persistently persisted in some parts of the zone and effectively bans the dirtiest vehicles from entering the city centre.

Now all vehicles entering Glasgow's LEZ must meet the less-polluting emission standards or face a penalty charge.

Glasgow's LEZ is the first to come into force in Scotland. It follows the initial, bus-only phase of the scheme which, since 2018 has seen a year-on-year improvement in the proportion of low or zero emission buses servicing the city centre.


Cllr Angus Millar, Convener for Climate and Transportsaid: "I am proud that Glasgow has fully rolled out the first of Scotland's Low Emission Zones, joining hundreds of cities across Europe who have introduced similar initiatives in ensuring cleaner, more breathable air.

"Glasgow has made great strides in tackling air pollution in recent years, thanks in no small part to the success of the first phase of our LEZ, which has led to all buses running through our city centre meeting the less-polluting emission standards. But we still have stubbornly high air pollution levels in the city centre, which have been in breach of legal limits for decades now, and that poor air quality is actively harming Glaswegians' health; creating and exacerbating people's health conditions and the city's health inequalities, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable.

"While the vast majority - up to 90% - of vehicles currently entering the city centre will be unaffected, the LEZ standards will address the small minority of vehicles which pollute the most, disproportionately creating the harmful concentrations of air pollution. And by ensuring cleaner air, we can create a safer and more pleasant experience for everyone who lives, works and visits Glasgow city centre."