A new funding scheme has been announced to help prepare for the
introduction of Low Emission Zones in Scotland’s cities.
The new Retrofitting Fund will provide targeted grant funding of
£1.09 million in 2019/20 for taxis, heavy goods vehicles, and
micro-businesses. Depending on uptake, funding is anticipated to
increase every year until 2021/22, with figures confirmed through
the normal spending review process.
Following successive years of bus retrofit funding, the new fund
will provide financial support to convert taxi, van and HGV
engines or exhausts in order to help commercial vehicles comply
with new emissions standards to protect public health.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and
Connectivity said:
“For taxi drivers, or micro-businesses which rely on their own
vans to operate in Scotland’s cities, we are offering financial
support which will enable them to comply with new standards on
emissions to improve air quality.
“The Retrofitting Fund will open later this month and I would
encourage interested businesses and black cab taxi drivers to
register on the Low Emission Zone website for further
information.
“Scotland’s four biggest cities are making good progress in
establishing Low Emission Zones by the end of 2020 in order to
protect public health. It’s important that people start thinking
now about the proposed emission standards and exploring the
funding which will be made available.”
Councillor Anna Richardson, City Convener for
Sustainability and Carbon Reduction said:
“We are determined to clean up Glasgow’s air and ensure our city
centre is a healthier and more pleasant place to be.
“Our Low Emission Zone, which was the first to be introduced in
Scotland, complements many of our projects and initiatives that
aim to improve air quality, including those which encourage a
shift toward active and sustainable travel.
“We have adopted a phased approach to implementation and by the
end of 2022, the emission standards required to enter Glasgow’s
LEZ will apply to all vehicles. As a council we are working hard
to smooth this transition and today’s announcement of a fund to
support taxi drivers, micro-businesses and HGVs is really
fantastic news.”
For more information on the Retrofitting Fund and Scotland’s Low
Emission Zones visit www.lowemissionzones.scot
