Glasgow wants to know
The political system of democracy is one of the main achievements of our modern times. This was probably what the government of the city of Glasgow thought when the Scottish city discussed the establishment of an environmental zone (LEZ).
Scotland wants to be a European pioneer in clean air. However, this ambitious goal and its implementation does not come entirely from the pen of the local government. Glasgow was the first city ever to have interested citizens participate in the development of a plan to implement an LEZ. On the city's website, the mayor of the Scottish metropolis announced that he wanted to actively involve the citizens in the plans and was true to his word.
Since December, the city's website has also published and circulated the following statement: "From previous consultations we know that there is broad support for the potential of low emission zones to protect public health and improve air quality. (...) It is vital that we design this legislation in partnership with the public, private and third sectors - and I would encourage anyone with an interest to take part in this consultation on these very ambitious proposals for Scotland's low emission zones".
Involve the citizen, make him feel that he is not just a pawn in the game of politics and its representatives: This is democracy in action! And furthermore, it is a great example of how some communities can cut off several slices of themselves.
As a result, Glasgow's current zoning rules will be extended to cars, trucks and buses from 2023 and will be strictly monitored by cameras. From then on, petrol cars will only be charged Euro 4 and diesel cars Euro 6.