MSPs are now debating LEZ amendments on information sharing and then financial issues.

Crucially, the presiding officer says we'll have a 10 minute break after this final section of amendments relating to Low Emission Zones.

After that we pivot to buses, so expect three amendments to arrive at the same time.

Green MSP John Finnie says his party won't back any of the 'grace periods' amendments as he is it is happy with the bill as drafted.

The transport secretary urges MSPs not to vote for most of the amendments.

Mr Greene seeks to withdraw his amendments, as does Mr Smyth.

Tory MSP Jamie Greene calls for grace periods as people will be barred from these zones.

Mr Greene seeks to give different grace periods to different vehicles.

He points out people who live in a LEZ will have no choice and may be breaking the law, without a grace period.

The Tory MSP says we all support LEZs but they must be sensibly introduced.

Labour MSP Colin Smyth argues the current grace period in the bill does not reflect the urgency required.

Image source, bbc

MSPs are currently voting on Low Emission Zones amendments.

The amendments relate to the purpose of LEZs, exemptions, potential changes, grace periods, vehicle types affected and relevant pollutants.

Currently MSPs are debating and voting on grace periods within the LEZ group.

Still to come are a raft of amendments on:

• Bus Services: this group of amendments addresses access to bus services for those on low incomes, contactless payments and community transport
• Pavement Parking: including amendments relating to exceptions to the new law, caravan parking and the removal of vehicles parked on the pavement
• Workplace parking levy: Labour MSP Neil Bibby will bid to remove the parking tax from the bill entirely, with other amendments also seek to add exemptions for a levy, including police and fire services
• And finally: Recovery of unpaid parking charges and road orders.

Image source, Getty Imags

Last December we reported Scotland's first low-emission zone (LEZ) was being introduced in Glasgow.

The first phase of the LEZ will set emission standards which must be met by 20% of buses which pass through the city centre. It means local bus services must comply with European emissions standards.

Phase two, applying to all vehicles entering the zone, is to be implemented in December 2022.

Campaigners have said the zone will not achieve significant change.

The scheme will be enforced through the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.

• Bus firm counts cost of low emission zone
• Low emission zone 'is no ambition zone'
• Read more here

• SPICe has produced a briefing on the workplace parking levy, external
• SB 18-54 Transport (Scotland) Bill: Buses, external
• SB 18-55 Transport (Scotland) Bill: Low Emission Zones, external
• SB 18-66 Transport (Scotland) Bill: Road Works, external
• SB 18-67 Transport (Scotland) Bill: Ticketing arrangements Regional Transport Partnership finance and Scottish Canals, external
• SB 18-70 Transport (Scotland) Bill: Pavement Parking and Double Parking, external

Image source, Getty Images

MSPs now move to the group relating to ministerial powers and duties: consultation and publication.

Labour MSP Colin Smyth speaks to his amendments.

To follow proceedings you'll need:

• the bill as amended at Stage 2, external
• the marshalled list of amendments, external
• the groupings of amendments, external

Mr Greene moves on to his amendments relating to exemptions allowing emergency service vehicles to be allowed into LEZs.

The transport secretary accepts there will have to be exemptions and adds these will be captured in secondary legislation.

The emergency services and blue badge owners will be high in the government's considerations he says.

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser seeks to exempt historic vehicles.

MSPs reject the call for putting the purpose of LEZ's on the face of the bill, which would have made clear they must bring down transport emissions.

Green MSP John Finnie says his party will support Colin Smyth's amendments calling for an Ultra Low Emission standard.

Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles backs the call to put the purpose of LEZ's on the face of the bill and says he can't see why there are any objections to that.