Nearly 30,000 LEZ fines issued in Glasgow

The number of LEZ fines dropped from the amount issued in 2023/24

Almost 30,000 Low Emission Zone [LEZ] fines were handed out in Glasgow during its second year, with over £750,000 collected.

The figures, included in an annual report on Glasgow's LEZ, showed a fall in the number of penalty charge notices to 29,838, compared to the first year of enforcement. More than 38,000 fines were recorded during the first year.

An average of 2,500 non-compliant vehicles were recorded per month - which the council called a significant number.

Glasgow's LEZ came into effect for all vehicles in May 2022, with a one-year grace period on enforcement, which then began in June 2023.

The policy was created to reduce levels of harmful vehicle emissions in the city.

The new report shows 18,962 fines have been paid, totalling £764,580. Following appeals and cancellations, £7,590 has been refunded.

In the first year, between June 2023 and the end of March 2024, figures showed more than 25,000 had been paid, bringing in £982,415 — with a net revenue of £747,511.

The report states: "During 2024/25, the number of PCNs [fines] issued has continued to slowly reduce. However, a significant number of non-compliant vehicle entries continue to be recorded, averaging approximately 2,500 per month."

There were 4,468 appeals against fines in the second year, with over half (53.3% or 2383) of these successful.

In year one, 5,692 appeals were received, with 31% (1,765) of those successful.

Most cancellations were as a result of the recipient having a blue badge, providing evidence their vehicle was LEZ compliant or the vehicle registration being entered incorrectly.

Others were cancelled for reasons such as a diversion being in place which forced vehicles into the LEZ.

Total expenditure on the LEZ since 2018 is around £2.58m, with £1.58m coming from grants.

Story by Local Democracy reporter Drew Sandelands.