The Scottish Government has restarted work on introducing Low Emission Zones, which are planned for implementation by mid-2022.

The Scottish Goverment said an indicative framework for the LEZs was between February 2022 and May 2022

The schemes in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen, which build on the existing bus-only scheme in Glasgow, were due to go live in 2020 but have been put on hold due to the pandemic and its impact on the general public and businesses.

Speaking this week, Transport Secretary Michael Matheson outlined an indicative framework for the LEZs be introduced across the four cities between February 2022 and May 2022.

Matheson outlined: “The Scottish Government and members of the Low Emission Zone Leadership Group are committed to introducing LEZs across Scotland’s four biggest cities as quickly as possible.

“LEZs are key to improving air quality, protecting public health and supporting Scotland’s wider climate change ambitions by encouraging more sustainable transport options.

“With the indicative timeline now established, planning continues at a local authority level and the Scottish Government will continue to develop the required regulations as well as providing funding to help people and businesses prepare.”

The Scottish Government added that local authorities will continue to explore grace periods following introduction and will balance the needs of businesses and residents with the urgent requirement to tackle areas of poor air quality.