Complaints about air pollution in the SNP’s first low emission zone are higher now than they were before it was brought in.
Launched in Glasgow in June 2023, thousands of cars were banned from the city centre with the aim of cutting emissions of the key pollutant nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
But new figures obtained from the city’s SNP-led council show there are more complaints about air pollution than there were before the LEZ launched.
Scottish Tory Glasgow MSP Annie Wells said: ‘Those who pushed for low emission zones argued it would improve air quality.
Since its introduction complaints from the public have gone up. What’s more, this illogical and wrong-headed policy has hit motorists, damaged business and contributed to the city centre’s motoring nightmare.
‘The measure also discriminates against those Glaswegians who cannot afford a fancy new car.
‘The SNP has expelled people from their own city centre on grounds of wealth, income and social class.’ Figures show that the number of complaints the council received about air pollution from June 2022 up to and including May 2023 totalled 203.
Scotland’s first Low Emission Zone was launched in Glasgow in June 2023
Complaints about air pollution are higher than the year before the LEZ came into force
However, in the last full year – from June 2024 up to and including May 2025 – there were 225 complaints, which suggests that citizens feel there has been no appreciable difference in air quality.
Despite facing fierce criticism, the LEZ in Glasgow was later replicated by councils in Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh – effectively banning a million vehicles from Scottish city centres.
Non-compliant cars, generally diesel engine vehicles from before 2015 and petrol vehicles from before 2006, attract £60 fines each time they enter an LEZ.
The zones sparked opposition from business leaders who warned they would dissuade people from visiting city centres, affecting the income of companies there.
However, Glasgow City Council last night argued that studies on the LEZ’s impact show that it has improved air quality and that the number of people visiting shops and businesses ‘continues to recover’ from the pandemic.
The council said that city centre NO2 levels fell by an average of 34 per cent between 2022 and the first full year of LEZ enforcement in 2024, with surrounding areas also seeing average reductions of 21 per cent over the same period.
A spokesman said: ‘Glasgow is now recording full compliance with the health-based Scottish air quality objectives for the first time since they were adopted 25 years ago.
‘You do not need a brand new or electric vehicle to drive into a Scottish LEZ.
‘Diesel vehicles less than ten years old and petrol vehicles less than 20 years old are typically compliant.’
