Lord Steel calls for classic cars to be exempt from Scotland’s new low emissions zones

Holyrood's first presiding officer urges Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs members to protest the SNP’s plans

Lord Steel calls for classic cars to be exempt from Scotland’s new low emissions zones
Lord Steel with ex-racing driver Stirling Moss.

Lord Steel of Aikwood, who is president of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs, has written to members urging them to protest against SNP plans.

The Scottish government is set to introduce low emissions zones (LEZs) in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen to cut congestion and improve air quality.

In England, LEZs have an exemption for vehicles over 40 years old which fall into the DVLA’s “historic” taxation class, allowing classic car owners to simply pay an occasional charge when they take their vehicles on the road.

Lord Steel’s letter reads: “The Transport (Scotland) Bill differs in two major respects.

“First, it imposes traffic restrictions (ie a ban) on non-exempt vehicles rather than charging, and it contains no historic exemption.

“The consequence would be that historic vehicles, of any age, would be treated simply as ‘old’ and banned from travelling in LEZs, unable to be kept in LEZs except as static museum exhibits, unable to be exhibited to the public in events such as historic bus running days, unable to be taken under their own power to and from businesses located within LEZs dealing in, repairing and maintaining, and restoring historic vehicles.”

His appeal to members goes on: “This is urgent, act now.

“Don’t accept being banned from your cities.

“Don’t allow businesses in your cities dealing in, maintaining and preserving historic vehicles being prevented from carrying on their businesses.

“Don’t allow active evidence of the motoring culture and history of Scotland being expunged from Scotland’s cities.”

The former Lib Dem leader and avid motoring enthusiast competed in several long-distance rallies in the 1990s, once driving an Austin Gipsy from London to Cape Town.

An exemption for classic cars would be considered, according to a Transport Scotland spokesperson, who added that the UNESCO-recognised international measure of a historic vehicle was 30 years old or more.

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