A petition has been launched in an attempt to stop the new Low Emission Zone (LEZ) scheme as its set to come into force from June 1.
As part of the initiative, all vehicles entering the zone (LEZ) area will need to meet less-polluting emissions standards or face a £60 penalty charge which can double for repeated entries - up to a maximum of £480 for cars and £960 for buses and HGVs.
The LEZ will affect the city centre with signs already in place advising drivers when they are entering. Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras will be used to monitor vehicles driving into Glasgow’s LEZ which will be in operation 24/7.
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The initial £60 penalty charge will be reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days.
Glaswegians have had their say in an online petition where there are fears the scheme will have a 'devastating' impact on residents and businesses.
The petition, on Change.org, reads: "The scheme is going to impact keyworkers, Disabled, Employed workers, Business owners, Taxi drivers and other transport businesses and residents within each cities Zone.
"Glasgow hasn't even given anyone the chance to pay as they enter like London, nor has Glasgow City Council given any alternative parking locations for residents , workers or visitors alike, outside of the zone.
"Many people who work and live in the city will suffer putative damage if this goes ahead as many cannot afford to purchase another vehicle or even go into debt to obtain a sanctioned vehicle that will conform to the Councils permitted stipulations.
"This is going to impact not only residential lives but also businesses, workers and all public services alike, people will refuse to enter Glasgow or any other city and staff will no doubt have to give up their jobs.
"If the Council do not give people the option to pay upon entering the zone then this is going to affect businesses, transport, residential and footfall in every city."
The petition has been signed by more than 300 people with Glaswegians sharing their reasons why they are against the LEZ.
One person said: "The devastating effect this scheme will have on businesses and homeless charities."
Another wrote: "I can't afford to buy a new car."
A third added: "Our freedom is being eroded, we need to stop this now."
A council spokesperson said: “This year is a key milestone in our work to reduce levels of air pollution, with the full roll-out of our Low Emission Zone to include all vehicles to maximise the air quality benefits it can deliver.
“Poor air quality presents a serious risk to public health and so the LEZ is an essential measure if Glasgow is to tackle the harmful air pollution that has dogged parts of the city centre for decades.
“Glasgow’s plan to phase in a city centre LEZ was announced in 2018 and since then there has been an extensive programme of communications and engagement to raise awareness of the scheme, its timescale for introduction and the availability of funding to ease compliance.
“Practical, targeted assistance from the Scottish Government to help prepare those most affected by the introduction of LEZs in Scotland, has since 2019 included funding for households and micro-businesses, and a separate retrofit fund including support for taxi drivers.
“While the vast majority – up to 90% - of vehicles currently entering the city centre will be unaffected, the LEZ standards will address the most polluting vehicles which are disproportionately creating the harmful concentrations of air pollution in the city centre.
“Glasgow has historically recorded the highest levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution of any Scottish city and has been the first to monitor a return to nitrogen dioxide levels above the legal requirements during recovery from the pandemic. It is reasonable that Glasgow enforces the LEZ at the earliest opportunity to help bring down pollution levels to a more acceptable level and reduce the health impacts on those who visit, work and live in the city centre.
“Any petition submitted to the council would be responded to in line with our public petitions process."
Sign the petition here.
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