One year countdown to LEZ going live News Image kaallan Wed, 31/05/2023 – 12:46 pm Today marks a year to go until enforcement of a new low emission zone (LEZ) in Aberdeen city centre goes live which will help to improve air quality. Cameras are to start to be installed on the boundary of the LEZ in the coming months although people will not be fined until 1 June 2024. Motorists driving non-compliant vehicles in the area from that date will be given a fine although there are exemptions including blue badge holders. As part of a Scotland-wide programme, LEZs are being introduced in Scotland’s four biggest cities – Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, and Aberdeen. The objective of introducing these LEZs is to tackle air pollution in city centres, mainly nitrogen dioxide, caused by road traffic. The introduction of these LEZs mean approximately more than four out of five vehicles are likely to be compliant with the LEZ by the time enforcement starts. Blue badge holders are exempt from all Scottish LEZs and they should register their details with a new LEZ exemption system so that the vehicle they are travelling in can access all the low emission zones in Scotland. An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman said: “LEZs are being introduced across Scotland to help improve air quality in the city centres of the four biggest cities which contributes to the protection of public health and wellbeing. “The LEZ in Aberdeen will also help the city reach its climate change targets by reducing our road transport’s contribution to emissions and prioritising active and sustainable transport movement. “All of these benefits helps to create a vibrant, accessible, and safe city centre for everyone.” People can now enter their vehicle registration number on the official website for Scotland’s Low Emission Zones to confirm if their vehicle will comply. Other classes of vehicle which are exempt from the LEZ include emergency services, naval, military or air force vehicles, historic vehicles, showman vehicles, and motorbikes and mopeds. Households and micro-businesses can apply for a cash grant to assist in the change from a non-compliant vehicle. There is also an additional offer of up to two £500 mobility grants or Travel Better vouchers for people to purchase a bike, e-bike or public transport voucher and more information about the grants is available on Low Emission Zones Scotland. For micro-businesses and following the successful disposal of the vehicle,…

Businesses and residents in the Belmont Street Quarter being consulted to help shape details of the outdoor eating areas News Image BS 1
kaallan
Wed, 01/12/2021 – 12:07 pm
Direct stakeholder engagement has started today with businesses and residents in the Belmont Street Quarter to shape what the outdoor eating areas will look like and take into consideration their operational requirements. Aberdeen City Council’s city growth and resources committee last month agreed the changes for key streets in the heart of the city centre including Belmont Street, Little Belmont Street, Gaelic Lane, and Back Wynd. These changes build on the recent temporary outdoor café culture and will provide a future-proofed outdoor space for business and public seating to enliven the area, creating a permanent on-street café culture in the Belmont Street Quarter. It will also create space in favour of pedestrians and encourage footfall. A business case and operational model for the permanent café culture is now being developed in consultation with local traders, with a report on the findings to be presented at the council’s city growth and resources committee in February 2022. Aberdeen City Council city growth and resources committee convener Councillor Ryan Houghton said: “The permanent outdoor eating areas in the Belmont Street Quarter and part of a raft of exciting changes which are happening in Aberdeen. “These multi-million-pound projects will create a more vibrant and people-friendly city centre and will help to heal the city from the economic damage inflicted by COVID-19 by breathing new life into our city centre, boosting job creation, and promoting a wealth of opportunities to allow businesses and traders to thrive. “I’d encourage everyone in the area to take part in this consultation and it’s vitally important we understand what the operational requirements are for local businesses in the area as well as help shape the finer details so we can progress this exciting new chapter in the Belmont Street and Back Wynd area.” The improvements to the Belmont Street Quarter are part of the City Centre Masterplan (CCMP), which is designed to invigorate the area over 25 years with both public and private investment. First approved in 2015, the CCMP has had several achievements to date including the completion of the award-winning Aberdeen Art Gallery, the completion of Provost Skene’s House, the Music Hall, Marischal Square, and Broad Street. Over the coming months, the regeneration of Union…