Where is the Low Emission Zone?
The zone is defined on the North and West by the M8, by the River Clyde on the South and on the Saltmarket/High Street in the East. Signs have been erected both at the limits and on the roads approaching the zone to alert drivers that they are entering the zone.
How will it work?
The city has installed Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras which will identify whether vehicles coming into the zone are compliant. Non-compliant vehicles will be fined on an increasing basis, at £60 for a first offence, increasing to a maximum of £480 for cars and light goods vehicles, or £960 for buses and heavy goods vehicles.
How will I know if my vehicle is compliant?
After FSB asked for a simple way for businesses to check whether or not their vehicles were compliant, Transport Scotland set up an online tool. As a general rule, petrol vehicles made after 2006 and diesel vehicles made after 2015 should be compliant, although it’s best to double check.
Are there any exemptions or extensions?
Permanent residents of the zone will have an extension until June 2024 to comply. Blue badge holders are also able to apply for an exemption. Motorcycles and mopeds are not affected by the scheme.
Is there any available support to get a compliant vehicle?
Following calls from FSB, several funds were set up to help small businesses with the cost of transitioning. None of these funds are currently open, however this blog will be updated as and when more support becomes available so keep it bookmarked.
What are FSB doing?
We’ve been consistently lobbying Glasgow City Council to ensure that the LEZ was developed and rolled out in a way that didn't adversely impact small businesses, securing support funding and pushing for better promotion outside of the city. We will be keeping a close eye on the situation and ensuring that lessons are learned in advance of the rollout of the Low Emission Zones in Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen.