A bid to delay enforcement of Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone by one year has been blocked, as the SNP accused Conservatives of “misinformation”.
Taxi drivers parked their cars outside the city chambers in a demonstration ahead of a full council meeting where Conservative councillors led efforts to postpone implementation of the zone.
They argued drivers needed more time to comply with the requirements of the LEZ due to the impact of covid on the trade - and their calls were supported by Labour.
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However, SNP and Green councillors put forward an amendment, which won by 46 votes to 37, and said options are available to drivers.
Cllr John Daly, Conservative, said: “Taxi drivers and operators are more than happy to comply with LEZ going forward, and they will meet the requirements as the council requires them to.
“What they are asking for is simply equality with other cities in Scotland as they move towards LEZs. The trade is asking for a little more time.”
Cllr Thomas Kerr, Conservative, said Unite had warned 1,000 jobs could be lost as a result of enforcement beginning in June this year.
“This is about trying to ensure that our city centre economy isn’t hammered,” he said. “We’re trying to ensure that people can get home safely. It’s about trying to secure jobs.”
He added it had been difficult for drivers during the pandemic and there are “no vehicles available, there’s no parts available, so they’re struggling”.
However, they were accused of “misinformation” by council leader Susan Aitken, SNP, and Cllr Jon Molyneux, Greens, said the 1,000 jobs figure was an opinion rather than fact.
Cllr Aitken said the motion was “inaccurate, out of date and simply does not reflect reality”, adding she had met with Unite the union, alongside transport convener, Cllr Angus Millar, to explain the situation.
Cllr Millar added: “To receive a time-limited exemption, with an ultimate backstop of June 2024, all a taxi operator who has not yet achieved compliance requires to do is either evidence that they are not eligible for a funded retrofit solution or they have applied, or expressed interest for, the retrofit funding scheme.”
He said: “The introduction of a Low Emission Zone is a long overdue and much needed public health measure. Air pollution contributes to an estimated 300 deaths in Glasgow a year, and many more Glaswegians long-term health conditions.”
The convener added: “Up to 90% of vehicles entering the zone already will be LEZ standard.”
But Cllr Jill Pidgeon, Labour, said: “If that’s the case, why are the taxi drivers gathered outside the city chambers today?”
“There’s a cost of living crisis, covid recovery for cab drivers has not been as quick as for other people. There wasn’t a lot of support. We have to strike a balance between achieving fresh air objectives and addressing concerns raised by the taxi industry.”
Cllr Eunis Jassemi, Labour, added: “Taxi drivers have been clear in their support of the principle of the LEZ; all that they have asked for is a short delay to give them time to comply with the incoming scheme.”
Before the meeting, Calum Anderson, Unite Glasgow Cab section, said: “We are fully supportive but we just need a little bit more time to transition into compliant vehicles. We are often accused that we have known this is coming, which is very true, but nobody could legislate for two years of covid, when people’s wages were absolutely decimated.
“I know it’s an easy get-out by saying covid, but the knock-on effect has been the supply chain issue as well to the taxi trade. There are no second hand compliant vehicles that are available.”
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