Build Scotland Construction Directory
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Share this page
Construction News
25/09/2019

Dundee City Council Considers New Low Emission Zone

Construction News Image
Dundee City Councillors are due to vote on a proposal of a new Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in the city.

Ahead of the vote, the Council's community safety and public protection committee will discuss a programme of awareness-raising and subsequent consultation on five proposed options for the LEZ.

Under the proposals, the city's inner ring road would form the boundary of the LEZ, access to which would only be available to certain types of vehicle that meet stringent air quality criteria.

To achieve air quality compliance for NO2, PM10 and PM2.5, the LEZ must exclude all non-compliant buses but the consultation will ask what, if any, other types of vehicle should also be penalised for entering the zone.

This could mean all older HGVs, LGVs and diesel cars registered on or before August 31, 2015 and all petrol cars registered before 2006.

If councillors agree, in addition to enabling feedback on the five LEZ options, as part of the exercise people who take part in the consultation will also have access to scientific and other data explaining how the options were arrived at and why others were not included.

Kevin Cordell, committee convener, said: "We are fully committed to improving the air quality in the city for everyone who lives, works and visits through the introduction of an LEZ.

"A considerable amount of time and effort has been put in by a team of experts to establish what the most effective options are for doing this.

"We want to share that work with everyone who will be affected by the introduction of an LEZ in order to have the best-informed and most transparent debate possible, before we decide where it should be and what category of vehicles it will include when we bring it in."

Alan Ross, convener of Dundee City Council's city development committee, added: "Whatever option we choose to take at the end of the consultation process it is important that it balances air quality with ensuring that the city's commerce and industry is not brought to a standstill.

"In addition we must be sure that LEZ is deliverable and keep it under observation to ensure it meets the objectives and can be scaled up or changed as needed."

A delivery group was established in September last year to lead the development of a Dundee Low Emission Zone (LEZ), in line with the Scottish Government's target to introduce such zones in all four major cities by 2020.

-- Advertisement --
NorthernAsbestosServicesLtd

The Dundee LEZ will contribute to the broader city objectives and the vision to create a healthy, vibrant and attractive city by protecting public health through improving air quality in Dundee and achieving air quality compliance for NO2, PM10 and PM2.5.

Dundee's LEZ will develop an environment that helps to promote more active and sustainable travel choices, contributes to the city's ongoing transformational change and helps to promote Dundee as an inclusive and desirable place to live, invest, visit and learn.

Alison Henderson, Chief Executive of Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce, said: "The introduction of a Low Emission Zone is a key issue, and needs to be handled sensitively. It's important that our city achieves the difficult balancing act of protecting public health while ensuring that the business community continues to prosper and thrive.

"The information and engagement exercise must generate an informed conversation where everyone can find out what they need to know and then have their voices heard. I'd encourage as many people as possible to find out more and participate."

Dr Jackie Hyland, Associate Director of Public Health for NHS Tayside, said: "The issues surrounding public health and Low Emission Zones are far from simple. We need our vehicles but we should use them sparingly and walk and cycle whenever possible.

"In addition if more categories of vehicle are prevented from entering an LEZ then people are more likely to walk, cycle and engage more with associated benefits for physical and mental health."

Considerable investment in new low emission vehicles has already been made by the three bus companies whose fleets serve Dundee.

Christine McGlasson, Managing Director of Xplore Dundee, said: "We believe that buses are the solution to pollution and we want to work alongside the city council to encourage more people to leave their cars at home and catch the bus, which will reduce congestion and improve the air around us.

"We recognise our role in improving air quality and we are already actively embracing clean technology. So far this year we have invested £4m in cleaner, greener vehicles with Euro VI engines which are better for the environment than even a single diesel car.

"We have also retro-fitted seven of our older vehicles, with ten more to be upgraded in the coming weeks and more new vehicles arriving before the end of the year.

"Just one of our double deckers can take up to 75 cars off the road, so it makes sense to put bus at the heart of Dundee's LEZ strategy.

"We can provide great value travel right across Dundee on comfortable, modern and clean vehicles – choosing the bus means choosing a better environment for everyone."

Daniel Jones, British Heart Foundation Scotland's policy and public affairs officer, said: "BHF Scotland has long supported the introduction of Low Emission Zones in Scotland as a way of tackling air pollution across the country.

"Our research shows that air pollution - especially particulate matter found in diesel exhausts – can damage the heart and circulatory system. This can lead to devastating effects, such as heart attack and stroke.

"We believe the introduction of LEZs has the potential to bring about real health benefits for local people and it is great to see Dundee considering such a move."

David Frenz, Operations Director for Stagecoach East Scotland, said: "We are very supportive of and will look to play a key role in the improvement of air quality in the towns and cities we operate in. This is highlighted by the £15.4m investment in low emission vehicles over the last seven years, with further investment planned for the future.

"Bus travel is critical to ensure the towns and cities we serve remain accessible, not forgetting the significant economic benefit it provides to the employment, leisure and the retail sectors.

"We are more than willing to engage and work with all parties in improving the air quality throughout Dundee and the surrounding area, but bus use along with other forms of active travel should be encouraged and not restricted."

As well as the introduction of an LEZ, Dundee City Council is actively encouraging other ways of improving air quality by investing in active travel options, like electric bikes and improving cycling and walking infrastructure.

The community safety and public protection committee will meet on Monday 30 September. If approved, the public consultation will be launched shortly thereafter.

(MH/JG)

Latest Construction News

03/05/2024

The Wheatley Group has been given planning permission from Glasgow City Council to convert the 1930s B-listed Bellgrove Hotel into 14 modern, energy-efficient and affordable flats – eight of which will be wheelchair accessible. Permission has also been granted for a further 56 flats to be built on ...
03/05/2024

Renewable energy leader Drax has announced that it will invest £80 million in a major refurbishment of its iconic 'Hollow Mountain' Cruachan pumped storage hydro power station in Scotland. Global hydropower technology supplier ANDRITZ has been appointed as the main contractor for the Cruachan ...
03/05/2024

Clark Contracts has welcomed the news that the former Dalmarnock Purifier Studios, now branded as EastWorks, has been awarded the Refurbished/Recycled workplace award at the prestigious British Council for Offices (BCO) Awards 2024. The 120-year-old former purifier shed, owned by Clyde Gateway, ...
03/05/2024

Stirling Council has launched a public consultation to shape future developments at the Viewforth and Burghmuir Road areas. The new draft framework and planning brief for Viewforth and Burghmuir covers a key area of the city centre that includes the Viewforth site, existing council buildings, ...
03/05/2024

Morrison Community Care (CCG) Holdco has secured planning permission or its latest project in South Queensferry, marking its third consecutive success. Forming part of a wider 44-hectare masterplan that will include 980 new homes, a primary school and commercial premises on Builyon Road, south of ...
03/05/2024

The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have carried out a review of the last two years of the Community Regeneration Funding Programme, ahead of agreeing changes to how the 2024/25 programme will be delivered. Committee Chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: "Following a successful two ...
03/05/2024

Perth and Kinross Council and partners are set to progress community-led projects aimed at revitalising homes and improving rural transport links, following a winning bid for Innovate UK Pathfinder Places funding. Funding of £150,000 has been secured following a successful Phase 1 Pathfinder ...
03/05/2024

SGN engineers working on the H100 Fife project have helped support the Methilhill Community Children's Initiative (MCCI) by building an eco-toilet in the charity's learning garden. MCCI provides a safe and engaging space for local children to participate in various outdoor activities, including ...
03/05/2024

SNIPEF, the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers' Federation, has published a draft of its 2024 election manifesto detailing six strategic policy proposals designed to support its members and the broader plumbing and heating profession. Once finalised, the manifesto will be central to ...
03/05/2024

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have published their 2024-25 Annual Operating Plan, detailing how they will protect and improve Scotland's environment over the next 12 months. The publication follows the launch of a new Corporate Plan at the end of March, which set out the ...
RBT Underfloor LimitedMorris & Spottiswood LtdMaterials Market LtdToner Damp Proofing SuppliesNo HydroBurnside Plant Hire LtdKattrak International Hidromek SalesScotdeck LtdThe Big Block Co LtdSafe Access (Highland) Ltd.
Terms and Conditions
2024/05/05 18:44:29