Glasgow's Low Emission Zone (LEZ)

Overview

Harmful nitrogen dioxide is being recorded in our city centre at levels that do not meet statutory objectives. As the main source of this air pollutant is from road traffic, Glasgow's LEZ is an essential measure to:

improve air quality
protect public health
support wider climate change ambitions by encouraging more sustainable transport options

Phase 1 of Glasgow's LEZ applies to local service buses only, however when Phase 2 is enforced from 1 June 2023, all vehicles entering the city centre zone must meet the required emission standards to avoid a penalty unless the vehicle is exempt.

Full details about Glasgow's LEZ can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page, including where the zone is, emission standards, penalty levels, grace periods for zone residents and exemptions.

You can also find out more about the availability of funding assistance to ease compliance; whether your vehicle is likely to meet the expected emission standards, and general information about how you can prepare for Glasgow's LEZ.

pdf icon Glasgow's LEZ - Information Booklet [2Mb]

LEZ Scheme Design

LEZ emission standards, penalty charges and exemptions have all been decided at national level for consistency, however the council can determine the specific shape, size and scope of our LEZ, based on local requirements.

Our LEZ Phase 2 scheme design has been developed taking into consideration the evidence base, findings of a previous non-statutory consultation in 2020 and the impacts of the pandemic. Proposals include:

A geographical area covering of much of the city centre, bounded by the M8 motorway to the north and west, the River Clyde to the south and Saltmarket/High St to the east.
That the scheme operates, 365 days a year and 24 hours a day.
That the LEZ will apply to all vehicle types, except for motorbikes and mopeds, and those vehicle types or uses considered exempt in Regulations which have been set nationally.
That applications for a time-limited exemption to LEZ requirements (under circumstances where entry of a non-compliant vehicle is required for a specific, defined purpose) will be determined on merit but will not be considered for the routine transport of people or goods or for routine commercial operations.

pdf icon Glasgow's LEZ - Preferred Scheme Design (Phase 2) [626kb]

A statutory consultation on the proposed Phase 2 scheme design closed on 2 September 2021. All responses received will be independently reviewed and summarised, with a report to be published shortly.

We expect to make available, details of the final scheme design by November 2021 - incorporating any changes arising from the consultation and/or additional air quality modelling. Subject to committee approval of the final Phase 2 LEZ scheme design in early 2022, the scheme will be submitted to Scottish Ministers for approval.

Legislation/Regulations/Guidance

The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 provides the legislation to enable the creation and civil enforcement of LEZs.

The Scottish Government has developed regulations and guidance, relating to a number of key LEZ aspects including emissions, penalties, certain exemptions and parameters for grace periods. The council however has the powers to create, enforce, operate or revoke a Low Emission Zone and to design its shape, size and vehicle scope, based on local requirements.

There are two sets of national regulations for LEZs:

The Low Emission Zones (Emission Standards, Exemptions and Enforcement) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 - these regulations cover emission standards, exemptions, penalty charge rates, and enforcement.
The Low Emission Zones (Scotland) Regulations 2021 - these regulations cover consultation, publication and representations, examinations, approved devices, and accounts.

These regulations were finalised following a consultation which asked questions about key aspects of LEZ regulations and guidance, particularly views on emission standards, exemptions and penalty charges.

LEZ Reports/Evidence Base

pdf icon Glasgow's LEZ - Preferred Scheme Design (Phase 2) [626kb]

pdf icon Glasgow Air Quality Evidence Report – initial report on the LEZ proposals by SEPA [5Mb]

pdf icon Glasgow’s LEZ – Prepared by SEPA – an interim report from 2020 on phase 1 of the LEZ and lockdown [3Mb]

pdf icon Glasgow LEZ Emissions Report – final report from SEPA detailing emissions reductions through the LEZ [1Mb]

pdf icon Low Emission Zone – Glasgow Evidence Report by SEPA (final) [4Mb]

pdf icon Glasgow City Centre LEZ Testing – Transport modelling report on the LEZ boundary options by Systra [2Mb]

pdf icon LEZ Post Covid Uncertainty Summary Note – Note on post covid uncertainty prepared by Jacobs / Systra for Transport Scotland [771kb]

pdf icon Glasgow City Centre LEZ Testing Covid Measures – Report on LEZ transport modelling including preferred boundary options and uncertainty prepared by Systra [2Mb]

pdf icon Glasgow LEZ IIA Final Report – Integrated Impact Assessment of the preferred LEZ scheme prepared by Jacobs [2Mb]

LEZ Data Analysis Tool

Using traffic modelling information provided by SYSTRA, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has developed an interactive tool to show the predicted changes in both emissions and traffic levels expected under the proposed Phase 2 LEZ measures. The tool allows users to explore these changes on a street by street basis and is available via the link below:

LEZ Data Analysis Tool

LEZ logo (oversized)