Last year was the first year that Glasgow did not breach air pollution limits, excluding the impact of the pandemic in 2020.
Environmental campaigners believe the improvement in air quality shows the early benefits of the Low Emission Zone.
Legal air quality standards came into force in 2010, yet had previously been broken every single year since except 2020 when the lockdowns resulted in a big drop in car journeys.
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One of the biggest improvements was on Hope Street, in 2021 it recorded an annual average above the legal limit for diesel pollution, but it is still one of the most polluted streets in the country.
Low emission zones were initially introduced in 2019, annually restricting more polluting buses.
Now every bus going through the city centre has to meet the minimum emission standard, with private cars to follow in June this year.
Gavin Thomson, transport campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “Air pollution from transport is responsible for thousands of premature deaths in Scotland every year, and causes serious heart and lung issues, so it’s great that progress is being made to improve some of our most polluted streets in Glasgow.
"The provisional data show that the Low Emission Zones and the Scottish Government’s hefty subsidies for operators to buy new buses are having an immediate impact.
“People in Glasgow can breathe a little easier as a result of the Low Emission Zone and changes to traffic being brought in. The buses along Hope Street these days are often electric, which are better for the climate and for our lungs.
David Cody from campaign group Get Glasgow Moving added: “It’s great that the Low Emission Zone is starting to make a difference, alongside the new electric buses bought with millions of public money - this would not have happened if it was left to the bus operators.
“The Low Emission Zone shows that when the council acts in our interest, it can have an impact - but it's a baby step compared to the change we need. For better air, lower emissions, and an end to transport poverty and social isolation, we need Glasgow City Council and neighbouring councils to take transport into public hands.”
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