GLASGOW parents have teamed up with a number of campaign groups to show support for the city’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) amid a judicial review.
Parents for Future Scotland called on the council and Scottish Government to go further in tackling the city’s “toxic air” and pollution levels.
The court challenge hopes to stop motorists from being fined from entering Glasgow city centre if their vehicle does not comply with emission rules.
However, Glasgow parents have called for a 20mph city wide speed limit, extending the closure of school streets to as many viable schools as possible, and “consistently” enforcing laws on speeding, illegal pavement parking and engine idling.
Parents for Future Scotland joined forces with Kidical Mass, Women on Wheels and Sunny Cycles to organise a petition calling on Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government to implement the measures.
They say two children are hospitalised and one person dies every week in Glasgow as a result of breathing toxic air, while countless more suffer ill-health and a reduced quality of life.
Almost all of the city’s pupils (93%) are breathing polluted air throughout the school day, with levels consistently breaching World Health Organization guidelines.
Sam Bartlett, a member of Parents for Future Scotland and father of Hillhead High pupil Florence, who suffers from asthma, said: “This is a public health emergency, and politicians need to show leadership by prioritising far better pollution-cutting legislation, active travel and public transport.”
Bartlett said that the number of SUVs and larger cars were contributing to arise in transport emissions, threatening climate targets.
“This is why the LEZ on its own is not a solution,” he added.
“There are lots of cars on our roads that haven’t been subject to real-world driving emissions tests, so they’re producing higher levels of pollution than the figures car manufacturers claim. We also must remember the VW emissions cheating scandal, which has still not been fully resolved nine years after it was exposed.
“And children hit by SUVs are eight more times likely to die than in accidents involving regular passenger cars.
“The only real way of making our streets, air and people safer and healthier is to have fewer cars, a blanket 20mph speed limit, and more folk actively travelling or using low-emission public transport.”
Florence, 14, added: “Having asthma is frightening – it feels like someone is sitting on your chest and you can’t take full breaths.
“I walk to and from school, and see lots of cars, especially around some schools, and I usually have to take my inhaler – I guess it’s the fumes making me feel breathless.
“The roads are so full of cars, and you see drivers jumping red lights a few times every week, like they’re rushing to drop off their kids without thinking of others. Walking to school shouldn’t be dangerous.”
The group have organised a family-friendly cycle and picnic on Sunday September 24 to highlight active travel benefits.
It will begin at the obelisk on Glasgow Green with attendees meeting at 1.30pm, with the ride leaving at 2pm to travel to George Square and back.
