Potential questions of an operator’s repute in Scotland for failing to observe Low Emission Zone (LEZ) restrictions in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow will not be mirrored by Traffic Commissioners (TCs) for non-compliance with Clean Air Zones (CAZs) in England.
A difference in legal frameworks between the two is the reason, the TCs’ office has confirmed. While the work in each country has the same aim of improving air quality, the LEZ approach in Scotland is stricter.
There, vehicles entering such Zones are required to meet defined standards – Euro VI in the case of coaches and buses – and penalty charges will be levied where they do not. In England, the position on non-compliance is more relaxed.
Because of the way that Scottish LEZs are structured, TC for Scotland Claire Gilmore highlighted in the TCs’ annual report for 2021-22 that should operators fail to comply with them, it “may impact on their repute.”
The four LEZs were introduced from earlier this year, but each has a grace period before enforcement commences. In Glasgow that will be on 1 June 2023, in Dundee on 30 May 2024, and in Aberdeen and Edinburgh on 1 June 2024.
“Operators will need to be aware of the new [LEZ] requirements and ensure that they comply with them,” Ms Gilmore adds.
