Last week we opened a consultation on Edinburgh’s Proposed Low Emission Zone.
Low Emission Zones (LEZs) aim to reduce air pollution, since it presents a significant threat to public health. It is especially harmful to young children, the elderly and those suffering from pre-existing conditions, including heart and lung diseases.
We last updated you on the proposed LEZ on the Planning Edinburgh Blog back in December 2020.
They are being introduced across Scotland’s four largest cities: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee in response to dangerous levels of air pollution generated by road traffic.
LEZs improve public health by discouraging the most polluting vehicles from entering an area. Benefits of this Zone will extend beyond the city centre by improving air quality, encouraging more sustainable travel and supporting the reduction of greenhouse gases across the city.
You can use the national vehicle checker to see if your vehicle is likely to meet the minimum emission standards.
The LEZ is planned to start the LEZ on 31st May 2022, however enforcement would not begin until 1st June 2024 – a ‘grace period’ of 2 years, which aims to help individuals and organisations to get ready.
Some exemptions will apply to the LEZ rules for example, disabled persons (including blue badge holders), historic vehicles and emergency vehicles as well as others outlined in the ‘Proposal to Make a LEZ’ consultation document.
The Council also has the powers to consider local ‘time-limited’ exemptions in exemptional and unique circumstances.
All details of the proposed LEZ are outlined in full in the ‘Proposal to Make a LEZ’ consultation document. This contains the following information:
- Edinburgh’s LEZ Objectives and why we think the LEZ is required and appropriate
- The proposed LEZ start date, operation times and grace period
- The scope of vehicle types that will be included in the LEZ
- Exemptions
- Penalties
- Map and a list of roads included in the LEZ
The Proposed LEZ will align with the Councils;
Why we are consulting
We are seeking views on the following proposed aspects of the Edinburgh LEZ:
- city centre zone boundary
- 2 -year grace period
- local exemptions and considerations for impacted groups
We are also seeking to understand knowledge of LEZs and LEZ related support funds and those available for other sustainable transport options. The consultation period is running for 12 weeks, from the 28th June 2021 and closing on 20th September 2021.
Responses, comments or feedback can also be emailed to: low.emission.zone@edinburgh.gov.uk,
or posted to: Low Emission Zone, Waverley Court G3, East Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8BG
Depending on the volume of feedback received, it is hoped that a final LEZ scheme can be formally published towards the end of 2021 and agreed by the Council and Scottish Ministers early in 2022 before it is implemented in May 2022.
Planning Edinburgh 