PLANS to fully implement Glasgow’s low-emission zone (LEZs) -the first in Scotland - have been put on hold because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The first phase set emission standards which must be met by 20% of buses which pass through the city centre. The next phase will apply to all vehicles.

Zones were also due to have been brought in later this year in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee but this has also been paused.

However Transport Secretary Michael Matheson has now said this is “no longer practicable”.

He stressed the Scottish Government is fully committed to tackling the problem of air pollution, but he confirmed the implementation of LEZs has been paused.

READ MORE: Traffic exodus leads to a 50% pollution drop on Hope Street 

Scottish ministers hope delaying the implementation of LEZs will give those involved the chance to consider what transport systems could look like after Covid-19.

Mr Matheson said: “The Scottish Government is fully committed to tackling air pollution in the quickest time possible.”

The Glasgow Times revealed figures showing a 50% drop in pollution on Hope Street in the first two weeks of lockdown after a major reduction in City Centre traffic.

Levels of harmful Nitrogen Dioxide are 47% below a comparable fortnight last year.

READ MORE: Mixed picture for London pollution in lockdown 

Environmental group Friends of the Earth Scotland said the Covid-19 crisis has “highlighted our urgent need to reduce pollution”.

The group’s air pollution campaigner Gavin Thomson said: “Pollution from traffic causes and exacerbates many of the heart and lung conditions that put people at heightened risk from the virus.

“The longstanding need to take action on air pollution to improve public health has only been heightened by this crisis.”