Vehicles which fail to meet strict pollution caps are set to be outlawed in Edinburgh’s historic city centre under new plans for the creation of a Low Emission Zone.
Drivers could face fines of up to £480 should they be found to have entered a 1.2 square mile section of the Capital extending from Queen Street to the Meadows when legislation is due to come into force in 2022.
However a two-year grace period, lasting until May 2024, has been outlined before enforcement is carried out by the local authority.
The 24/7 restriction proposals, which could affect up to 20,000 vehicles across the city, are to go before City of Edinburgh council transport chiefs next week.
The new rules will apply to all vehicles except motorbikes and mopeds that do not meet the minimum emissions criteria.
Entry into the LEZ will be restricted to those in the Euro 4 category and above for petrol cars and vans - generally covering any car registered from 2006 onwards.
Diesel vehicles must be at least Euro 6 compliant, while buses, coaches and HGV’s have to conform to Euro VI standards.
Failure to comply with the regulations will result in an initial £60 charge, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.
However, motorists who continue to breach the rules will see fines doubled up to a maximum of £480, while bus and HGV drivers could be charged up to £960.
A 12-week consultation on the plans attracted more than 5,000 responses with what the local authority described as ‘mixed’ feedback.
A number of residents and interest groups, including the likes of the Cockburn Association, raised concerns over the creation of “rat runs” on Queen Street, which is not included in the LEZ boundary.
No changes have been made from the initial plans, however a “significant funding gap” to implement the proposals to the tune of £400,000 remains.
Upgraded signage and the reconfiguration of junctions are expected to be covered by the Scottish Government’s £1.045m investment in the project.
Councillor Lesley Macinnes, transport and environment convener, said: "Being able to breathe clean air is a basic right that everyone in the city deserves and this scheme, along with the many other projects to encourage sustainable transport, is key to achieving this.
"We urgently need to address air pollution and the damage it’s doing to our health.
"I’m confident that the LEZ being put forward for approval will have a really positive effect, while taking into account any impact on local businesses, residents and traffic patterns."
