Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Scotsnet

Welcome to Scotsnet - discuss all aspects of life in Scotland, including relocating, schools and local areas.

Original poster

Low Emissions Glasgow.

81 replies

LittleDitto · 20/04/2023 17:04

I’m trying to find information out if there’s a daily charge (like in London) or if it’s just a flat out £60 fine. I’ve got about 8 events booked in Glasgow between June and October and it’s going to prove tricky and risky to not take my car. I’ll have to just ditch my plans if it’s going to cost a fortune on too
of what I’ve already paid.

I really wish public transport was a better option to and from rural parts of Scotland late at night.

OP posts:
Wbeezer · 23/04/2023 14:32

We've got two old diesels, hanging onto both until they disintegrate while saving up for an electric or hybrid. Might have to hire a van to move DS3 into his student accommodation! When does the scheme start?

JuneShitfield · 23/04/2023 14:34

In case anyone doesn't already know — in addition to Glasgow there are LEZs in (or coming to) Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee too.

https://www.lowemissionzones.scot/about/local-lezs

Local LEZs

https://www.lowemissionzones.scot/about/local-lezs

Itwasnaeme · 23/04/2023 14:38

There are indeed - not enforced for one more year, thankfully

TooOldForThisNonsense · 24/04/2023 22:52

We both have diesel cars, husband’s car is 64 plate and not compliant, mine is 65 plate and is thankfully. He works in Finnieston so just outside the LEZ I think and he cycles most days anyway. Think our car price may suffer when we come to try and sell it cos of this x

TooOldForThisNonsense · 24/04/2023 22:53

Wbeezer · 23/04/2023 14:32

We've got two old diesels, hanging onto both until they disintegrate while saving up for an electric or hybrid. Might have to hire a van to move DS3 into his student accommodation! When does the scheme start?

1 June I think

KnittingNeedles · 25/04/2023 07:55

Still no response to my email to the Scot Gov.

We are the same @Wbeezer, we decided not to get on the merry go round of a new car every couple of years, and that it was more sustainable for the environment and our finances to keep a car until it falls to bits.

Original poster
LittleDitto · 25/04/2023 17:01

Hi,

Sorry I’ve only just jumped back on this thread and seen the other comments. I’m coming in from the North. I really am incredibly reluctant to leave the car outwith the zone. As I say, having had one broken into previously and just generally feeling a bit anxious about safety and how reliable late night transport is I’ve decided just to give them all a miss.

I might be in a better situation financially this time next year for the other cities implementing their zones and if not then it’ll just be a rethink all round. I had originally thought that Glasgow was going to start theirs at the same time so I had stupidly just kept on naively planning my year!

it’s really sad that it’s come to this though. I guess they’re only alienating a very small percentage of people so in that regard they’re not really concerned about it.

I just wish that the electric car infrastructure in rural places was good and that electric cars could stand up to the jobs that the bigger diesel cars do.

OP posts:
Sugarfree23 · 25/04/2023 17:58

Coming from the North, options, I'm sure others might have other ideas but one option is to park around Uddingston station.
Which also means your on the line that takes you to Exhibition Centre.
I wouldn't necessarily use the station carpark but the main street next to it is well lit and busy.

NotTooOldPaul · 25/04/2023 20:01

I'm surprised that my 2015 VW Tigual is compliant. We have a big car because we tow a caravan and we can drive in Glasgow or London. I never drive in Glasgow as public transport is a far easier option for me.

KnittingNeedles · 14/05/2023 12:46

Just bumping this thread as I have finally had a response from the Scottish government. Well outwith their 14 days to respond but hey, we all know they have a flexible approach to timescales and budgets and trivial matters like that.

Anyway to recap - my query was : my car does not qualify as it is Euro 5, not Euro 6. But your checker says it does qualify. Am I going to get fined?

Their response (clear as mud) is:

"For the Euro status to be added to your vehicle record you will need to send the evidence, a covering letter, and a copy of your V5C to:
Vehicle's Team, DVLA, Swansea SA99 1BA.

^When DVLA have received this, they will investigate the details and where required, update both the DVLA record and the Transport Scotland Vehicle Checker. Please refer to the timescales available here www.gov.uk/guidance/dvla-services-update^

We are always improving the services we provide and while a vehicle may currently show as compliant under the Scotland Low Emission Zones scheme, this may not always be the case as improvements to the services provided are made. It is for this reason that we strongly advise drivers to ensure they check if their vehicle meets the relevant standards each and every time, they travel in a zone. "

So in essence, I have to proactively approach the DVLA, send off my V5C certificate, write a letter, pay for a stamp, and ask them to fine me?

What a shitshow.

Itwasnaeme · 14/05/2023 17:13

It is for this reason that we strongly advise drivers to ensure they check if their vehicle meets the relevant standards each and every time, they travel in a zone.
So if you live inside the zone, do you have to check the website on a daily (hourly?) basis then?

KnittingNeedles · 14/05/2023 21:18

Fuck knows.

I'm just amused that they expect me to spend the time and money giving them the information to fine me, as their system is too crap.

AuldWeegie · 14/05/2023 21:41

Both DH and I have old diesels that we intend keeping until they (or we) fall apart. What I would love is to drive to a car park outside the LEZ then hire a wee electric runabout for the city centre. The idea of hanging about for trains and buses and subways is not at all appealing.

Coolblur · 14/05/2023 21:48

The interesting thing about the implementation of this is that despite living in the Central Belt, the only place I've seen it publicised or discussed is on here. No excuse for that these days.
I reckon lots of people will get fines that come as a great surprise to them.

TheSproutOfWrath · 14/05/2023 21:49

Our Van is a 15 plate and not compliant. Coming from rural Ayrshire to his hospital appointments will be fun 🙈

stargirl1701 · 14/05/2023 21:58

OP, you can park at Gleneagles station for free and get the train if that would work for your destination.

MamaDollyorJesus · 14/05/2023 22:01

Coolblur · 14/05/2023 21:48

The interesting thing about the implementation of this is that despite living in the Central Belt, the only place I've seen it publicised or discussed is on here. No excuse for that these days.
I reckon lots of people will get fines that come as a great surprise to them.

The only place I've seen anything was a sign on the M8 when heading into Glasgow on a bus last week.

I live in Fife & drive to Stirling 3x a week for work (along the M8/9) & regularly venture across the bridge into Edinburgh, was also in Falkirk the other week - not a thing anywhere across central Scotland other than that one sign at the side of the motorway just as you reach Glasgow, not even anything on the overhead signs.

anniewaitsforthelasttime · 14/05/2023 22:35

Coolblur · 14/05/2023 21:48

The interesting thing about the implementation of this is that despite living in the Central Belt, the only place I've seen it publicised or discussed is on here. No excuse for that these days.
I reckon lots of people will get fines that come as a great surprise to them.

Same! I am reading with interest as we regularly drive into and across Glasgow, although not often the city centre other than right though on the m8, yet I have never seen any signs about this or any info online before this post.

storminamooncup · 15/05/2023 06:05

I have a blue badge although I WFH. DH works f/t in Glasgow.

He is wondering if he'd be exempt every day if he registered my blue badge as sometimes I do travel with him into Glasgow for events or what.

Or would he only be exempt if I was with him every day?

NotTooOldPaul · 15/05/2023 08:30

storminamooncup · 15/05/2023 06:05

I have a blue badge although I WFH. DH works f/t in Glasgow.

He is wondering if he'd be exempt every day if he registered my blue badge as sometimes I do travel with him into Glasgow for events or what.

Or would he only be exempt if I was with him every day?

My wife has a blue badge and I only use it when she is with me. That is in the rules that came with the blue badge.
The blue badge is for a person not a vehicle. The exemption should only apply when you are with him.

KnittingNeedles · 15/05/2023 08:42

There are signs up as you approach the edges of the LEZ - but if you are unfamiliar with Glasgow, the signs don't help as by that point you're committed and can't easily stop and do a U-turn on a very busy road.

There are adverts on the buses and on digital noticeboards locally - but again, only communicating with a Glasgow audience. I know that other cities are planning something similar but only because I've been investigating our own situation with my car. No idea when Edinburgh's kicks in, for example, or what the boundary of it is. I know Edinburgh well as I grew up there but apparently Dundee and Aberdeen are getting them too - these are cities I do not know at all and have seen zero information about.

Anyway. Decision made that we'll put my car through its MOT and service and it will be sold for a smaller, compliant one. My days of needing a "mum bus" to ferry multiple kids about on a regular basis are probably over anyway.

WeAllHaveWings · 15/05/2023 14:09

Coolblur · 14/05/2023 21:48

The interesting thing about the implementation of this is that despite living in the Central Belt, the only place I've seen it publicised or discussed is on here. No excuse for that these days.
I reckon lots of people will get fines that come as a great surprise to them.

I first "heard" about it 3-4 months ago when travelling to Glasgow, which is not often, and saw the LEZ signs.

Over the last month or so it has been on the local radio stations several times a day and I am sure I saw it on TV once. It is in Glasgow local papers, news, social media, LA social media sites.

I suspect it is quite difficult to get the message out to everyone as there are so many outlets for information now but many people don't use any of them. Where should they publicise to catch all?

I wouldn't know what other cities have implemented LEZ, congestion zone charges, toll charges - the way things are going it is worth checking any city you visit to see if there are any new restrictions.

Notjustamum10 · 15/05/2023 20:23

TheSproutOfWrath · 14/05/2023 21:49

Our Van is a 15 plate and not compliant. Coming from rural Ayrshire to his hospital appointments will be fun 🙈

Which hospital do you need to visit? QEU and Gartnaval are both outside of the LEZ so you should be fine.

museumum · 15/05/2023 20:38

There are signs on the m8 about the glasgow one.
the Edinburgh one is small - covering only the immediate city centre where few would choose the drive anyway due to the high cost of parking.

Itwasnaeme · 15/05/2023 20:49

I drive in fairly often - if you go in the evening parking is mostly free on the streets.
I agree it's not a large area, but it's large enough I will need to replace my car