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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Steven Rae

Lord Provost of Glasgow's limousine banned from city centre as LEZ comes into force

The limousine used to transport the Lord Provost of Glasgow will not be able to operate in the city centre after the new Low Emission Zone (LEZ) came into effect.

The 3 litre Volkswagen Phaeton is now prohibited in the area, after the rules around the LEZ came into force at midnight.

SNP Councillor Jacqueline McLaren is chauffeured around town in the vehicle. The council has confirmed the car is not compliant and will no longer be able to enter the LEZ, and said "alternative transport" will be arranged.

Do you think the introduction of Low Emission Zone in Glasgow's city centre is a good idea? Have your say in the comments.

The new rules prohibit diesels registered before September 2015 and petrol motors registered before 2006, with hundreds owned by the council now banned.

The local authority has 884 diesel vehicles including cars, vans, minibuses, buses and bin lorries, with most of them thought to be outwith the specifications, reports the Scottish Daily Express.

Thomas Kerr, the leader of the Scottish Conservative group on the city council, said: "The Lord Provost's car doesn't meet the new low emission standards so they will have to get rid of it. I've spoken to several councillors whose cars don't meet the rules as well.

Thomas Kerr, the leader of the Scottish Conservative group on Glasgow City Council. (Glasgow Live)

"This is a headline-grabbing legacy for Susan Aitken to be the first LEZ in Scotland, an example of the tail wagging the dog with the 10 Greens on the council and a money-making exercise after years of SNP funding cuts."

Taxi drivers and charities who will not be able to use their vehicles in town tried to put a stop to the enforcement coming into place on June 1 for fears to their livelihoods, but the rules are now in place and drivers not sticking to the rules will be fined.

A city council spokeswoman said: "The vehicle previously used by the Lord Provost is not compliant with LEZ standards and will now be sold on. A suitable vehicle will be made available to support the Lord Provost in the course of her civic duties.

She added: "When enforcement commences, all council vehicles entering the city centre Low Emission Zone will meet the required emission standards.

"We are working to increase levels of LEZ compliance within our fleet through a combination of investment in new low and zero emission vehicles, and by retrofitting existing vehicles."

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