Scotland Low Emission Zone Consultation on Regulations and Guidance 2019-2020
Background
The Transport (Scotland) Act (2019) provides the legislation to enable the creation and civil enforcement of Low Emission Zones (LEZs). In order to develop specific LEZ regulations further consultation was needed.
Facilitated by Transport Scotland, the consultation ran from 13 December 2019 – 24 February 2020.
It asked questions about key aspects of LEZ regulations and guidance, particularly emission standards, exemptions and penalty charges.
In total, 305 responses were received. You can view the full results in the analysis report.
The feedback and comments received helped inform the development of LEZ regulations and how they operate across Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Key Findings
24% suggested the review should investigate air quality and emissions e.g. before and after LEZ implementation.
53% of respondents disagreed with the proposed penalty changes, with an overarching feeling that the penalty rate was too high. 35% of respondents agreed.
57% of respondents agreed with the proposed plans.
56% thought that there would be an impact on the environment, air quality being the main positive impact.
61% anticipated an increase in the costs and burdens placed on business sectors.
39% of respondents identified secondary objectives e.g. public transport provision, planning / placemaking, public health / wellbeing and reducing congestion.
agreed with the proposed emission standards with many agreeing that emission standards should be more stringent.
agreed with the shift to zero or ultra-low emission city centres by 2030.
agreed with the steps required for enabling a LEZ scheme to come into effect.
National
In 2017, Transport Scotland facilitated a public consultation, Building Scotland’s Low Emission Zones, to inform development of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 and the draft National Low Emissions Framework (NLEF).
View the responses here.