Air air pollution in Glasgow metropolis centre has dropped by a 3rd since enforcement of the Low Emission Zone, in keeping with an announcement from town council on 12 August.
New knowledge for 2024 seems to point out a 34% discount in ranges of nitrogen dioxide throughout the LEZ space in comparison with 2022 – the final full 12 months earlier than the scheme was enforced. Diffusion tube monitoring has additionally proven a 21% drop of dangerous pollution at areas exterior the zone.
The obvious breakthrough is detailed within the metropolis’s most up-to-date Air High quality Annual Progress Report — the primary to replicate a full calendar 12 months of knowledge since Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone was prolonged to all car varieties in June 2023.
Annual monitoring from 2024 additionally appears to point out that for the primary time, Glasgow recorded full compliance with all statutory air high quality goals following their introduction thirty years in the past.
Ranges of nitrogen dioxide in any respect computerized monitoring stations had been under the target ranges, persevering with the pattern of compliance for the third consecutive 12 months. Whereas Hope Road – recognized for recording the very best nitrogen dioxide ranges in Scotland – is now reporting concentrations practically 10% under the statutory goal, which town council holds to be proof of the transformative impression of Glasgow’s clear air measures.
Metropolis centre diffusion tubes, which in 2023 recorded ranges of nitrogen dioxide above the target on Gordon Road and underneath the Hielanman’s Umbrella at the moment are in full compliance – with the very best recorded stage greater than 25% under the target, stated a press release.
And constructing on a number of years of constant compliance, the annual goals for PM10 and PM2.5 – the ultra-fine particles recognized to pose severe well being dangers, had been efficiently met in any respect monitoring areas.
Cupboard Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop stated: “I’m more than happy that Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone is considerably enhancing native air high quality. What we’re seeing by these findings is a transparent and direct hyperlink between the LEZ and air high quality advantages. Glasgow was the primary LEZ in Scotland to begin enforcement and the primary to ship these advantages. We will count on to see related reductions throughout Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh in time.
“We all know that air air pollution disproportionately impacts the youngest, the oldest and people with pre-existing medical circumstances. As such, the LEZ is working successfully to guard public well being in Glasgow and cut back well being inequalities.
“On the identical time – it’s actually encouraging that the income raised from the LEZ has been reinvested to assist area people initiatives that work to guard the local weather and additional enhance air high quality throughout town.”
Glasgow has beforehand declared 4 Air High quality Administration Areas (AQMAs) resulting from ranges of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter exceeding the authorized goals.
Three of those AQMAs have since been revoked, reflecting ongoing enhancements in air high quality. Nonetheless, the AQMA for town centre, established in 2002, stays in place.
While the LEZ is driving important enhancements within the metropolis centre’s air high quality, revocation of an AQMA can solely occur the place there’s compliance with the goals for no less than three consecutive years, and the place additional exceedances of the goals are unlikely to happen.
If present progress continues, says the council, town centre AQMA will probably be eligible for revocation forward of the 2029 goal set in Glasgow’s 2024 Air High quality Motion Plan.
