Air quality/Low Emission Zone update

AIR QUALITY in Dundee has met all of the targets set in the 10 locations where it is continuously monitored according to a new report.

Councillors will be told next week that in 2022 the annual mean for nitrogen dioxide was lower than in 2020, boosted by local bus companies bringing in fully electric and EUROVI buses in anticipation of the introduction of the city’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ).

Christina Roberts convener of the council’s community safety and public protection committee said: “While vehicles are the chief source of nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter can be affected by things like weather and come from a number of sources, but in general terms less vehicle emissions, equals better air quality.

“Compliance with the vehicle emissions standards set by the LEZ will become mandatory and that will help us to maintain the air quality improvements that have already been made.”

A report to the community safety and public protection committee notes that £235,000 to progress selected Air Quality Action Plan measures during 2023/24 has been obtained from the Scottish Government Air Quality Action Plan grant scheme.

An extra £44,500 has also been given to the council through the Scottish Government Local Air Quality Management grant scheme to maintain air quality monitoring equipment, update the existing Air Quality Action Plan and to buy new communications equipment for monitoring stations in preparation for the impending removal of 3G from communication networks.

As well as air quality the report updates the committee on progress with the city’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ), introduced just over a year ago.

Launched on May 31, 2022 an area inside the A991 inner-ring road forms the LEZ within which only vehicles that meet the emission standards set out in the Low Emission Zone (Emission Standards, Exemptions and Enforcement) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 can be driven.

Lynne Short the committee’s deputy convener added: “As well as helping to meet air quality targets the LEZ is also being introduced to contribute to the council meeting its greenhouse emissions reductions targets as outlined in the 2019 Dundee Climate Action Plan and to help promote the city as an inclusive and desirable place to live, invest, visit and learn.

“Vehicles which meet the standards of the LEZ are used all across the city so my bus journey into and out of the LEZ is on a cleaner, greener vehicle on every part of the route. Equally a taxi journey or take-away delivery anywhere in Dundee in a compliant vehicle produces less nitrogen dioxide, and less carbon dioxide everywhere it goes.”

The report notes that that preparations for the installation of approved LEZ signage is ongoing, including meetings with Transport Scotland about advance warning signage on the trunk road network, including the Tay Road Bridge, the Kingsway and East Dock Street. Signs will start appearing later this summer.

When enforcement starts in May 2024 there will be an initial penalty charge for all non-compliant vehicles entering the zone of £60, reduced by 50% if it is paid within 14 days. The default penalty charges for LEZs have been set by the Scottish Government and are therefore consistent across the country.

Mark Flynn convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee said: “It is good to see the positive impact that the LEZ is already having, even before signage and enforcement is fully in place.

“Far from being a reason not to fully implement it, progress so far reinforces the benefits of the LEZ for residents and visitors to Dundee.”

The community safety and public protection committee meets on Monday (June 12).

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