Transform Scotland has today responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the introduction of Low Emission Zones (LEZs).<\/p>\n
The consultation comes after the Government’s announcement in the Programme for Government that four LEZs would come into force in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen by 2020. Glasgow will be the first city in Scotland to have an LEZ by the end of 2018.<\/p>\n
In the response, Transform Scotland urged the Scottish Government and Local Authorities to focus on reducing the number of private vehicles, rather than singling out buses, for tackling air pollution. Achieving a modal shift away from private car use and towards walking, cycling and public transport is vital for delivering clean air and would bring wider benefits including reduced congestion, improved public health and reduced carbon emissions.<\/p>\n
Commenting on LEZs, Colin Howden, Director of Transform Scotland, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cWe welcome the Government\u2019s commitment to implement LEZs in the four biggest cities by 2020. LEZs are a vital tool for cutting air pollution, and are also useful in reducing carbon emissions by\u00a0encouraging a shift away from private vehicles.<\/em><\/p>\n “However, there needs to be immediate action in meeting the existing standards rather than the decades of procrastination and prevarication that has characterised Scottish Government and Local Authority approaches to the protection of human health.<\/em><\/p>\n