Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP has hit out at Glasgow City council over planned Low Emission Zones restrictions set to come into force this June, claiming the rules will have a disproportionate impact on disabled people.
Current guidance suggests that disabled people will have to register the vehicle their blue badge is to be used in, which Duncan-Glancy claims adds another layer of bureaucracy to their lives, particularly for those who travel in various vehicles.
The Glasgow Labour MSP has also expressed concern that without changes to the planned exemptions, carers could be unfairly penalised. As it stands there are no grounds on which carers and personal assistants who are employed by disabled people and frequently must travel into or through the city centre are eligible for an exemption, unless travelling with the person they care for.
Duncan-Glancy has also noted concern that the new rules will lead to a fall, and potential wipe-out of black cabs on Glasgow’s City’s Streets, an issue she has previously raised with the Transport Minister directly.
Commenting, Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP said:
“Disabled people constantly face challenges and barriers to their participation in society and the looming introduction of Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone will only add to that.
“Expecting disabled people to register vehicles creates further additional administrative burden and limits our ability to change plans at short notice.
“It appears there has been a complete absence of thought around how the new restrictions will work for carers too, risking them being unfairly penalised for travelling through the city to provide care.
“To be just, transition to net zero must protect jobs and equality – between the threat to the black cab industry and the additional bureaucracy disabled people and their carers are set to face, in my view the new rules fall far short of that standard.
“Glasgow is the only city set to push ahead with these ill-thought through restrictions this year, failing to follow the lead of councils such as Edinburgh and Aberdeen who have delayed introduction to allow more time for individuals and the Taxi industry to prepare for them.
“It’s time Glasgow City Council do the same, push back the introduction date and re-consider exemption rules so that disabled people and those they care for are not made to jump through even more hoops just to go about their daily lives.”
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