Ken GibsonBBC Scotland News
BBCFines of more than £500,000 issued to drivers breaching Aberdeen’s new emission rules went unpaid in the first nine months of the scheme’s operation.
Older petrol and diesel vehicles are banned from parts of the city covered by the low emission zone (LEZ) which was introduced in a bid to improve air quality.
Motorists who fall foul of the rules are issued with initial penalties of £60, which reduces by half if paid within the first 14 days.
A new report to Aberdeen City Council reveals that its income from the penalty charge notices in the first year of operation was £1.23m after costs. However, about £561,000 of the fines have not yet been paid.
This means the actual surplus was about £669,000.
The report also says the number of penalty charge notices (PCNs) being issued has fallen since the LEZ’s launch in June 2024.
A spokesperson for Aberdeen City Council said: “The council must accrue any expected but unpaid income at the end of each financial year, in compliance with accounting practice.
“This includes income related to PCNs.
“The £561,000 quoted in the report represents the difference between this accrued position, and the cash position for financial year 2024/25.”
The report, which will be discussed by Aberdeen City Council’s net zero, environment and transport committee next week, also says the volume of vehicles in the city that are compliant with the LEZ has risen from 82% in 2023, to 89% in 2025.
It says this means income from PCNs will continue to fall, but the cost of maintaining the LEZ will remain the same, or even increase in the future, as signage and cameras need maintenance or replacement.
Surpluses from the LEZ are to be spent on projects to improve transport or air quality in the city centre.
In March this year councillors agreed to use up to £200,000 of the scheme’s surplus for a new e-bike rental scheme, which is currently out to tender.
A further £121,000 has also been committed to making the city centre greener.
This leaves an unallocated cash surplus of £348,000, which officials recommend should be kept back to help pay the future costs of the LEZ.
The full annual report of the LEZ is expected to be submitted to Transport Scotland by the end of the year.