LEZ Fight Back Fund

Hi,

My name is William Paton, I am a Director of Patons Accident Repair Centre. We are an Vehicle Repair Centre operating within the Glasgow LEZ. We had multiple attempts to engage with Glasgow City Council over Phase 2 of the Low Emission Zone, asking about exemptions and asking whether current emission levels were still high enough to necessitate the hugely detrimental Phase 2 of the LEZ, given the data which drove their own decision was 6 years out of date, pre Covid, pre hybrid working, pre working from home, and most importantly, pre Phase 1 of the LEZ which addressed the Busses, who were always the largest contributor to emissions.

Unfortunately, they refused to engage in any meaningful way and we were left with no choice but to find out for ourselves.

We commissioned an expert report into Glasgow Air Quality at our own expense, which showed that the busses had always been the biggest contributor to emissions, and with 100% of the bus fleet entering the city now compliant, that current emission levels were now completely compliant with all objectives set out by Air Quality Scotland. It also showed through trend analysis that without any further action (ie. the rollout of Phase 2 of GCC LEZ) that emissions would continue to fall due to the natural cycle of cleaner vehicles replacing older vehicles.

Glasgow City Council's own Impact assessments show that Phase 2 will:

• Disproportionately affect those on lower incomes

• Disproportionately affect those with special care needs

• Disproportionately affect those with disabilities

• Disproportionately affect the elderly

• Fuel the poverty-related attainment gap

• Fuel inequality in general

• Isolate communities within the LEZ

• Have huge economic impacts on businesses operating within and outside the LEZ

• Disrupt supply chain

• Impact Charities

Whilst the positives relied wholely on health benefits of low emmissions.

Now that we know that the health benefits gained by low emissions have been achieved and surpassed, this scheme stands to do nothing but detriment the people of Glasgow and those wishing to visit it.

We saught to challenge the Low Emission Zone by bringing this new evidence to the courts and requesting Judicial Review. We had a massive hurdle to overcome given the time limit in which such a challenge could be brought had expired. At our own expense we engaged lawyers and Counsel who were both of the opinion prospects of Judicial Review being successful were favourable, however prospects of beating time bar were extremely low. We decided to continue on anyway, given how many people this was going to affect.

Despite all odds, we have overcome the Time Bar and are now being allowed to Challenge the Low Emission Zone in court. There is a preliminary hearing in September with full review to take place in October.

We are asking for any donations from people who like us, feel that this scheme, whilst once necessary, is now redundant. We have achieved the clean air that everyone needs to live a healthy life, why are we going to continue to punish the people of Glasgow for something we no longer need. All donations will be put towards getting the best possible legal minds preparing the case and promoting our cause. This is not the only LEZ operating in Scotland, similar schemes are still being pushed for with incorrect data in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee. Should we be successful, it could have ramifications on all similar schemes that are being forced through without due care and attention or review.

Any surplus funds received will be donated to the Charities within the LEZ of Glasgow that have already had to spend money on complying with this scheme they could have put to better use feeding and helping the people of Glasgow.

Any funds that are drawn down will go from our Go Fund Me account to ours will be paid directly to Jones Whyte Law, who are representing the case, they will use them for Legal Fees, Outlays and Paying Counsel's fees.

Thank you in advance for any donations received.

Please see below any media links from ourselves or other businesses similarly affected by this scheme.

This is Money - https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-12381369/Glasgow-LEZ-scheme-banning-older-cars-dubbed-dead-duck.html

The Glasgow Times - https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/lifestyle/lifestyle/23702967.amp/

The Scottish Sun - https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/11054398/first-business-burned-down-glasgow-lez-closing-second/amp/

The Scottish Daily Express - https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/glasgow-lez-under-fire-businesses-30623253?int_source=amp_continue_reading&int_medium=amp&int_campaign=continue_reading_button#amp-readmore-target

The BBC - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-65767852

Mail Online - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12339219/Motorist-Glasgow-low-emission-zone-ban-overturned.html

Kind Regards