28 new planters installed in Glasgow City Centre, funded by penalty charges from LEZ

LEZ was brought in two years ago and now the council are using the funds from penalty charges to install tree planters.

Transcript

00:00Have you noticed new planters installed throughout the city centre? I'll be surprised if you haven't

00:05because they're huge. Well these have been funded from low emission zone penalty charges.

00:10Some of the money collected from unauthorised vehicles driving within the LEZ which came into

00:15enforcement just over two years ago in June 2023 has gone into this. 28 metal and stone planters

00:23were purchased, while 20 of the trees have been installed in prominent locations such as the

00:28Trongan outside the Gallery of Modern Art, while eight are to be placed in George Square when its

00:33transformation is complete. The planters include a variety of tree types including birch, cherry

00:39blossom and roan. The idea is not just to enhance the aesthetic look of the city centre but also to

00:45enhance its environmental credentials. More trees will absorb more carbon dioxide, reducing air and

00:52surface temperatures and filtering pollutants from the air. It's not exactly a forest but it is a

00:57step towards change in creating a more sustainable city. Councillor Angus Miller has said they

01:03represent the council's commitment to a greener and healthier Glasgow and securing a positive legacy

01:10from their action to reduce air pollution. So have you spotted the planters in Glasgow city centre?

01:16What do you think? Do you think this is a good use of LEZ penalty charges?

01:20And what ideas do you have that can help Glasgow become more sustainable?