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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Holly Lennon

Second Glasgow homeless charity fears being 'driven off the road' by Low Emission Zone fines

A second charity supporting Glasgow's homeless has spoken out over fears they will be driven off the road by the upcoming Low Emission Zone enforcement.

Emmaus Glasgow offers supported accommodation for 27 people who have experienced homelessness as well as running two weekly soup kitchens and supporting local food banks. They also provide free furniture for people in need.

In order to carry out its work, the charity relies on its current fleet of vans to collect and deliver items to support its service users and run their shops.

Read more: Convicted rapist with 33 convictions stabbed Celtic fan to death weeks after jail release

The majority of the charity's income comes from the sales of donated furniture and household items with the vans an essential part of their operations.

As their vans are over eight years old and don't need the requirements to comply with the city's LEZ requirements, the charity could be facing a charge of £85 per day to operate its services as normal.

They have now launched a fundraiser to help keep them on the road by purchasing new energy-efficient vans.

Emmaus Glasgow fears they will be driven off the road (Contributed)

Richard Allwood, director of Emmaus Glasgow explained: "Our vans are an essential part of our operation, enabling us to collect and deliver the items that we need to support our companions and run our shops.

"We also run a weekly soup kitchen and the vans are crucial to transporting the food into the city centre to help Glasgow’s homeless and vulnerable community. Every donation, no matter how big or small, will make a real difference to our charity and the people we support."

We previously reported how fellow charity All2gethernow is facing being kicked out of Cadogan Street where the host a soup kitchen every Monday between 6.30pm and 9.30pm.

Their current van won't be allowed to enter the LEZ after June 1 without facing a fine and are now also appealing for donations to help them buy a new one.

The move to reduce levels of harmful vehicle emissions will come into force on June 1 after which all vehicles entering the zone (LEZ) area will need to meet less-polluting emissions standards or face a penalty charge.

The LEZ will affect the city centre with signs already in place advising drivers when they are entering.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras will be used to monitor vehicles driving into Glasgow’s LEZ which will be in operation 24/7.

To donate to Emmaus Glasgow's fundraiser click here.

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