Scottish hauliers clear the air with Aberdeen LEZ proposal
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HAULiERS iN SCOTLAND say they would accept the introduction of a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Aberdeen as long as they are given time to modernise their fleets.
The city is investigating ways in which it can improve air quality, and one solution is to launch a lorry-based LEZ. At a meeting organised by Scottish regional transport body Nestrans local hauliers were told that the plans could include a Euro-4 LEZ introduced in 2013, to be “strengthened thereafter”. But transport operators welcomed the proposals: “There was a general consensus that city centre restrictions for older vehicles would not be an issue as air quality is something that concerns all of us,” says ARR Craib MD and Nestrans vice-chairman Eddie Anderson.
“in addition, most north-east [Scotland] based operators run newer-than-average age fleets and any penalty enforced would likely affect companies from outside the locality.” Nestrans transport strategy manager Rab Dickson says there are concerns over the timescale, and that if the plans go ahead they should coincide with the construction of a bypass around the city, which is currently also being discussed.
“There’s almost an inevitable fear of some restriction,” he says. “i think when we gave them facts and figures they were much more open than we might have anticipated.”