Glasgow LEZ operating costs higher than income as more cars become compliant

Drivers in Glasgow paid over £500,000 in Low Emission Zone (LEZ) fines last year – but the scheme’s operating costs were higher than the income for the first time.

Around 2,000 penalty charge notices per month were issued to non-compliant vehicles entering the zone between April last year and the end of March this year.

The LEZ, which covers Glasgow city centre and was created to reduce levels of harmful vehicle emissions, was initially rolled out in 2018 to apply to buses.

It came into effect for all vehicles in May 2022, and enforcement began after a one-year grace period.

More than £980,000 was claimed in fines in 2023/24, with just over £750,000 in 2024/25. For 2025/26, income dropped again to £513,873.

A new council report states the spend on running the LEZ was £781,765, with a net expenditure of £267,892. It adds: “Revenue has fallen in line with the reduction in PCNs [fines] issued as the scheme has matured.

“This reduction was expected and can be attributed to higher levels of compliance with the emission standards in the general fleet and higher levels of awareness of the LEZ among drivers of non-compliant vehicles.”

The majority – 78% – of fines in 2025/26 were issued to cars, with light vehicles receiving 21%. The council received 3,078 appeals, with 82% – or 2,531 – of these successful.

Fines were mostly cancelled due to the recipient being a blue badge holder, providing evidence their vehicle was LEZ compliant or exempt or the vehicle registration being entered incorrectly.

Unsuccessful appeals have been referred to an independent adjudicator on 28 occasions. Five were allowed by the adjudicator while 18 were unsuccessful. Two were withdrawn by the applicant, two are still awaiting a hearing, and the council decided not to contest the other due to additional evidence being presented.

Surcharging, where the fine doubles for subsequent breaches by the same vehicle, is in place. The first level of penalty charge costs £30 rather than £60 if paid within 14 days.

Development of the LEZ began in 2018/19, with the majority of the costs covered by Scottish Government grants. There has been no grant-funded expenditure in the past two years.

In 2024/25, the council’s operating costs were £614,000, rising to £781,765 in 2025/26.