Sturgeon's war on motorists: SNP's green crusade could see up to 1 MILLION cars scrapped
ALMOST one million cars could be driven off Scotland’s roads under the SNP’s latest green crusade.
Motorists will be banned from entering cities or face automatic fines if their cars do not meet strict clean air standards.
New laws paving the way for four low-emission zones (LEZs) within the next two years were today introduced at Holyrood.
This will see older petrol and diesel vehicles barred from parts of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee in a bid to improve public health.
The Scottish Government’s Transport Bill also sets out a ban on double parking and parking on pavements, including beefed-up powers for local authorities to enforce this rule.
Critics hit out at the attack on motorists amid warnings hundreds of thousands of struggling firms and families face hefty bills to replace their machines.
The Scottish Government’s Transport Bill will introduce four-emission zone
New laws paving the way for four low-emission zones (LEZs) within the next two years were today introduced at Holyrood.
This will see older petrol and diesel vehicles barred from parts of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee in a bid to improve public health.
The Scottish Government’s Transport Bill also sets out a ban on double parking and parking on pavements, including beefed-up powers for local authorities to enforce this rule.
Critics hit out at the attack on motorists amid warnings hundreds of thousands of struggling firms and families face hefty bills to replace their machines.
Ministers want to create a national penalty scheme to enforce the LEZs, policed by automatic number plate recognition cameras.
Country-wide standards for vehicles allowed to enter the zones and fines will be set by the Scottish Government.
The crackdown is likely to affect petrol cars registered before January 2006 and diesels registered before September 2014, based on European emission standards.
But a government policy document published alongside the Bill notes ministers will have the power “to change the standard in the future”.
The IAM RoadSmart motoring group estimates 738,000 diesel cars and 244,000 petrol cars would not meet the LEZ criteria. This represents 40 per cent of all cars in Scotland.
The tanks and stacks of Fawley Refinery in the New Forest
The effect this may have on smaller businesses in particular could be expensive and very disruptive
Neil Greig, policy and research director
The crackdown is likely to affect petrol cars registered before January 2006 and diesels registered before September 2014, based on European emission standards.
But a government policy document published alongside the Bill notes ministers will have the power “to change the standard in the future”.
The IAM RoadSmart motoring group estimates 738,000 diesel cars and 244,000 petrol cars would not meet the LEZ criteria. This represents 40 per cent of all cars in Scotland.
Neil
Greig, policy and research director, said: “There is no doubt that many
owners of perfectly serviceable older Euro 5 may find themselves now
owning a car or van that has to pay to access streets they previously
took for granted.
“The effect this may have on smaller businesses in particular could be expensive and very disruptive.”
Philip Gomm, of the RAC Foundation, added: “Everyone wants cleaner air, but the risk is that thousands of Scottish drivers will be left with cars they can neither drive in towns and cities, nor sell.
“Hardest hit will be those on lowest incomes who are most likely to have old cars and least likely to be able to afford to replace them with something newer and cleaner.”
Glasgow will launch the first LEZ on December 31, 2018. Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee are expected to follow by 2020.
“The effect this may have on smaller businesses in particular could be expensive and very disruptive.”
Philip Gomm, of the RAC Foundation, added: “Everyone wants cleaner air, but the risk is that thousands of Scottish drivers will be left with cars they can neither drive in towns and cities, nor sell.
“Hardest hit will be those on lowest incomes who are most likely to have old cars and least likely to be able to afford to replace them with something newer and cleaner.”
Glasgow will launch the first LEZ on December 31, 2018. Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee are expected to follow by 2020.
The Scottish Government will set country-wide standards for vehicles allowed to enter the zones
Green
campaigners have previously hit out at a lack of “ambition” in the
Glasgow scheme, after council bosses revealed buses would be targeted
first before curbs on diesel and high-polluting cars, taxis and vans.
When the LEZs were first proposed last year minsters said individual councils would decide which vehicles were banned or exempt.
This could include blue badge holders, emergency vehicles, bin lorries, and night shift workers travelling when no public transport is available.
Today's document, however, said the Bill “allows the Scottish Government to set consistent standards for emissions, penalties, and certain exemptions”.
Restrictions will be in place 24 hours a day, seven days a week but could be varied “on a case-by-case basis”.
When the LEZs were first proposed last year minsters said individual councils would decide which vehicles were banned or exempt.
This could include blue badge holders, emergency vehicles, bin lorries, and night shift workers travelling when no public transport is available.
Today's document, however, said the Bill “allows the Scottish Government to set consistent standards for emissions, penalties, and certain exemptions”.
Restrictions will be in place 24 hours a day, seven days a week but could be varied “on a case-by-case basis”.
Motorists
outside a zone will be given a “grace period” of between one and four
years to allow them time to acquire cleaner vehicles before enforcement
starts.
Those within a zone would receive an extended “sunset period” of one to two years after the “initial-lead” in stage.
Scottish Tory environment spokesman Donald Cameron said: “Motorists already feel like the Scottish Government has an anti-car agenda, and some of these proposals would exacerbate that.
“Any changes must be done with agreement of businesses and people who rely on their car to get around either for work or leisure.”
The Bill also proposes a major shake-up of bus services amid plummeting passenger numbers.
Those within a zone would receive an extended “sunset period” of one to two years after the “initial-lead” in stage.
Scottish Tory environment spokesman Donald Cameron said: “Motorists already feel like the Scottish Government has an anti-car agenda, and some of these proposals would exacerbate that.
“Any changes must be done with agreement of businesses and people who rely on their car to get around either for work or leisure.”
The Bill also proposes a major shake-up of bus services amid plummeting passenger numbers.
Another government policy document notes ministers can “change the standard in the future"
Councils
will be given more flexibility over services, through partnership
working with operators, local franchising or running services
themselves.
The government also want to see smart ticketing technology standardised across the country and the regulation of road works improved.
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said the Bill would “help transform our towns and cities into cleaner, more accessible and more pleasant spaces to travel and enjoy”.
But Scottish Labour described it was “a huge missed opportunity”, saying they would table “a series of amendments”.
Scottish Greens welcomed progress on LEZs and bus travel but said the Bill otherwise “leaves a lot to be desired” with “not a single mention for trains”.
The government also want to see smart ticketing technology standardised across the country and the regulation of road works improved.
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said the Bill would “help transform our towns and cities into cleaner, more accessible and more pleasant spaces to travel and enjoy”.
But Scottish Labour described it was “a huge missed opportunity”, saying they would table “a series of amendments”.
Scottish Greens welcomed progress on LEZs and bus travel but said the Bill otherwise “leaves a lot to be desired” with “not a single mention for trains”.
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