Environmental groups have said tougher action is needed after Glasgow introduced restrictions on buses

Scotland’s first low emission zone (LEZ) has been introduced.

Buses that pass through Glasgow city centre will now be subject to stricter rules on emissions.

However environmental campaigners have said the plans will have little effect on pollution within the city, describing Glasgow as a No Ambition Zone.

Glasgow’s LEZ, which covers the city centre, will set emission standards which must be met by 20% of the buses which pass through the city centre. The dirtiest buses will be phased out of the city centre over a five-year period, with the next phase of the plan set to be introduced in 2022.

Air pollution campaigner for Friends of the Earth Scotland, Gavin Thomson, highlighted that only a small percentage of vehicles will be affected by the plans.

He said: “The toxic, illegal levels of air pollution in Glasgow causes hundreds of premature deaths, and life-limiting conditions. Unfortunately, the weak terms of this Low Emission Zone - only applying to one in five buses - won’t achieve any significant change for air quality. This No Ambition Zone means fumes from transport in the centre of Glasgow will carry on poisoning people’s lungs for many more years.

“Around 18% of buses in Glasgow already met the emission standards before the zone was decided, so there will be very little change in the fleet. Private bus operators in Glasgow are getting a free ride while everyone else is suffering the effects of illegal levels of air pollution.

“300 premature deaths are caused by air pollution in Glasgow every year. We need bolder action by the council, and bus companies need to prioritise people over profits.”

A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said the council's approach was a "manageable, yet robust" way to reduce pollution.

"Glasgow's LEZ is modelled as being capable of making significant reductions in levels of air pollution in the city centre. Focusing initially on local service buses, the strict emission standards required to enter the LEZ will apply to all vehicles by the end of 2022.

"This pragmatic and phased approach will ensure a manageable, yet robust timetable for implementation that looks at the city's overall needs to ensure it won't have a detrimental impact on people's lives, businesses and the vitality of the city centre."

Thomson added that Scottish cities need to be ambitious in tackling air pollution.

“We need our other city councils across Scotland to be bolder than Glasgow,” he said. “With Edinburgh, Dundee, and Aberdeen all planning their Low Emission Zones for 2020, there is an opportunity for cities to set a path to clean air, compel bus companies to clean up their fleet, and remove the worst polluting vehicles from city centres. Air pollution from transport is causing an urgent public health crisis, and councils need to show leadership.”