Signage for the upcoming
introduction of Aberdeen’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is set to be erected this
week.
The controversial measures have
already been introduced in Glasgow in a bid to improve air quality, though have
reportedly negatively impacted on businesses.
Dundee and Edinburgh will also home
LEZs, joining the Granite City by officially introducing the laws on June 1,
2024.
The cameras - which will be
introduced at a later date - will be live all year round with anyone driving a
non-compliant car in a LEZ to be fined £60.
Fines are doubled for repeat
offenders within 90 days, maxed out at £480.
Aberdeen City Council say the LEZ is
being introduced to “address dangerous levels of air pollution in the city
centre, mainly nitrogen dioxide (NO2), caused by road traffic”.
However, The Mail on Sunday have
reported city centre air monitoring posts in Aberdeen have shown the amount of
NO2 in the air is within legal limits.
How has the business sector reacted?
Businesses in Glasgow - whose LEZ
went live on June 1, 2023, have
reported falling footfall compared with pre-pandemic levels.
Russell Borthwick, the chief
executive of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, added: "We do not
want to see any negative impact upon city centre businesses, which suffered
extraordinary pressures during the pandemic and its aftermath.
"People are already taking time
to adjust to new bus gates around Union Street, which have significantly
reduced traffic in the city centre. It would make sense to pause and review the
impact of these measures first."