Glasgow LEZ cash will be used to fund new trees and community projects

Low Emission Zone enforcement began last year
-Credit: (Image: Daily Record)


Money collected through the city’s Low Emission Zone fines will be spent on new trees and a fund for community climate projects.

Glasgow City Council reported a net revenue of £747,511 in the first year the LEZ was enforced, with more than 25,000 penalty charges paid.

It is expected £500,000 of the cash will be split between the two schemes while the remainder will go towards the operational costs of running the zone.

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Grants of between £20,000 and £50,000 per project will be available from the new fund, with bids accepted from November 5. Work to improve air quality, reduce climate change emissions or improve Glasgow’s amenity will be considered.

The LEZ, which covers Glasgow city centre, was initially rolled out in 2018 to apply to buses. It came into effect for all vehicles in May 2022 but with a one-year grace period for enforcement.

It prevents the most polluting vehicles from entering the city centre in an effort to reduce levels of harmful emissions.

Cllr Angus Millar, SNP, the council’s transport and climate convener, said the plans “extend the positive reach of Glasgow’s LEZ”.

He added: “When the fund is launched in November, I’ll be encouraging groups and organisations keen to deliver their own environmental projects to apply for funding — with information packs and assistance to be made available to all applicants.

“With £250,000 available to support a broad range of local projects, the new fund will make a real difference to those looking to get an initiative up and running.

“And, with the LEZ also resulting in an identical investment in tree planting and greening activities, we can deliver both cleaner air and greener streets in the city centre and beyond.”

A council report states any income “received through enforcement of the LEZ is firstly allocated to the costs of operating the scheme” and any residual revenue can be used on “projects which otherwise provide benefits in respect of the LEZ objectives”.

Tree planting was allocated £250,000 in the council’s budget earlier this year, with another £250,000 put aside for “broader climate action activity”.

Around £165,000 is being used on city centre trees in planters, with several locations identified, including around Central Station at Union Street and Gordon Street.

Officials are also looking into working with Trees for Streets, a charitable tree sponsorship scheme.

It is believed the scheme could allow the council to “work with a unique supplier to provide a wrap-around service which includes promotion, marketing, engaging with residents… crowdfunding, and donation collection for tree planting”.

Other work could include transforming bus stop roofs into “green roofs/bee stops” and “innovative living/green walls” in the city.

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