Achi news desk-
Writing in The Herald on Monday, he said that Glasgow “was once regarded as Scotland’s retail powerhouse and claimed to be the champion of the UK’s Night Economy” but now “in parts, it is empty and bland, with boarding shops outnumbering struggling ones. to remain open and where a notorious Heras fenced ditch, littered with rubbish, instead of a tree-lined pedestrian boulevard, now greets visitors entering Sauchiehall Street”.
READ MORE: Donald Macleod: 6pm-6am LEZ restrictions should be lifted to save city center
Referring to the introduction of the city’s LEZ in June last year, Mr MacLeod said it was part of the council’s “relentless attacks on the motorist” which had “contributed to the dramatic reductions in footfall and created what which could be called ‘low’. economy zone'”.
Mr MacLeod cites lifting the city’s LEZ restrictions between 6pm and 6am as a way to help boost Glasgow’s “struggling” night-time economy.
It also advocates further “constructive” steps to “help Glasgow thrive and stop its damaging and depressing decline”, such as “replacing the punitive fine system with a daily use charge” and “reducing parking rates not increasing them”.
A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “Poor air quality poses a serious risk to public health and therefore the Glasgow LEZ is an essential and proportionate measure to tackle the harmful pollution that has blighted the city center for decades .
“The Glasgow LEZ was introduced due to long-standing breaches of annual mean nitrogen dioxide targets – with emissions always contributing to these breaches. As such, our LEZ scheme works continuously to maximize the effectiveness of the air quality benefits it can deliver.
“By reducing the levels of harmful pollutants, we can create a safer and more pleasant experience for everyone who visits, works and lives in the city centre.”
