Preparation work for Low Emission Zones in four cities in Scotland has cost £36 million before any of them are up and running.

The Scottish Daily Express reports the schemes being set up in Glasgow (pictured), Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee have run up costs for grants given to councils to help them run their schemes including communications and consultancy support plus signage and a Bus Emission Abatement Retrofit Fund

Transport Scotland says their introduction will help protect the health of the public by improving air quality and addressing pollution hotspots, which are principally caused by road traffic.

It adds Low Emission Zones will also contribute to Scotland’s carbon reduction targets, by realising the co-benefits of encouraging people to use cleaner vehicles, more public transport and more active travel such as walking, wheeling and cycling.

(Picture – Glasgow City Council)