New funding for Low Emission Zone should drive higher ambition

Commenting on the confirmation that the Scottish Government will fund nearly £8m of bus upgrades for Glasgow, Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Director Dr Richard Dixon said:

“This is good news for the people of Glasgow. We have been seeking clarification for months over funding for the Low Emission Zone in Glasgow. Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh will all benefit but the lion’s share will go to Glasgow for the first Low Emission Zone in Scotland. £8m will allow hundreds of buses to have their exhausts upgraded to meet the latest air pollution standards, which means Glasgow City Council can now plan to deliver clean air in the city much faster than the current draft proposals.”

The Scottish Government suggest that £8m will pay to upgrade 300 buses but using the current cost of doing exactly the same upgrade in London more like 450 buses could be upgraded. With at least 15% of the fleet already at the top standard, this funding could mean 75% of the city centre bus fleet could be at the top standard by spring of next year. This compares with a target of only 20% in the draft plan.

“The Scottish Government has a target of delivering clean air in Scotland by 2020 and this funding will ensure that Glasgow can take a great leap forward in reducing pollution in the city’s streets and the current annual death toll of 300 people. Glasgow City Council will be voting to finalise their plans for the Low Emission Zone in a couple of weeks and this funding means we will be looking for high ambition in getting to 100% of the cleanest buses in the city.”