The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) which will be enforced from today in Edinburgh as well as those in Aberdeen and Dundee will save lives and will be vital to delivering cleaner and greener cities according to the Scottish Greens.
Co-leader of the Scottish Greens, Lorna Slater said: “There is no such thing as a safe level of air pollution, and Low Emission Zones have a key role to play in delivering cleaner, greener and safer cities. “If we are to have liveable and clean cities then we need to reduce the numbers of cars on our roads, and LEZs are a big step towards doing that.
“It has taken a lot of work by a lot of people to get here, but these zones will save lives and have a positive impact that will be felt for years to come.”
Cllr Kayleigh O’Neill, the Scottish Greens Transport & Environment spokesperson on Edinburgh City Council, and a candidate for the Edinburgh North & Leith constituency, said: “We’ve been waiting a long time for the opportunity to reduce air pollution, tackle congestion and limit the amount of traffic that goes through our city centre.
“These measures will make our city cleaner and more accessible. Blue badge holders will be exempt so disabled people who currently have fewer choices to travel will not be penalised whilst we discourage private car use for others.
“The climate crisis will demand more radical action in the months and years ahead, and that needs leadership. I look forward to a time when we can look at expanding this zone and bringing in further measures to keep our streets and lungs free of pollutants.”
Details of the Edinburgh LEZ are here.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
