Three further Low Emission Zones (LEZs) in Scotland are set to commence enforcement after the expiry of two-year grace periods, with Dundee beginning on 30 May and those in Aberdeen and Edinburgh following two days later on 1 June.
From those dates, penalty charge notices (PCNs) will be issued to non-compliant vehicles. Coaches, buses and minibuses must be of Euro VI emissions or better. Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh follow Glasgow in starting to issue PCNs for non-compliance, with Glasgow having adopted a one-year grace period against the other cities’ two-year approach.
In a significant difference in structure to emission control zones in England, where non-compliant vehicles are permitted entry if a daily charge is paid, the Scotland LEZ approach bans them. Such a restriction is in force 24/7.
Traffic Commissioner (TC) for Scotland Claire Gilmore advised operators in the TCs’ Annual Report for 2021-22 that they “will need to be aware of the new requirements and ensure that they comply with them.” Not doing so could have a negative impact on the operator’s repute, Ms Gilmore added.
The PCN level in Scotland for non-compliant vehicles is £60, reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days. However, further transgressions by the same vehicle will see the previous PCN rate double to a cap of £960 for vehicle types including coaches, buses and minibuses. The level resets to £60 when no breaches are detected within 90 days of a violation.
While LEZs in Scotland are generally smaller than some Clean Air Zones already introduced in England, each of those in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow capture the city centre areas.
In literature around the four LEZs, Transport Scotland notes that it and the Scottish Government “have a clear vision for Scotland’s air quality to be the best in Europe. Despite that, there remains no indication of when winners of the second round of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus challenge fund (ScotZEB2) will be announced.
Difficulties during the initial stage of ScotZEB2 bidding led to a re-run of that step. It was subsequently agreed that the winners would be named in early May.
That date was then postponed on at least two occasions. It has now been suggested that the pending general election means that no formal announcement can be made, although it is thought that winning parties have been informed and are able to order vehicles with ScotZEB2 funding.
