THE Low Emissions Zone in Glasgow city centre will have a “devastating impact” on the taxi trade, an MSP has said in a debate in the Scottish Parliament.

Pauline McNeill, Glasgow Labour MSP, led a debate on the taxi industry and told MSPs that hundreds of drivers face a bill of tens of thousands of pounds or be forced out of business.

McNeill said their concerns about the scheme are being “ignored” and they were “neglected” during the pandemic.

READ NEXT: SNP plan to write off unpaid school meal debt in Glasgow

The LEZ is due to start in June this year where older vehicles will not be allowed to enter the city centre as they will not be compliant with the emissions rules.

The MSP said: “As we know, around 1,000 cabs out of the fleet of 1,420 are not Euro 6 compliant.

“In other words, there are 1,000 taxi drivers who, at the moment, would not be able to enter the LEZ in Glasgow.

“One can already begin to see the extent of the problem.

“Although 200 cabs have been given an extra 12 months, people in the rest of the taxi sector have been left to find thousands of pounds that they simply do not have during a cost of living crisis.”

McNeill highlighted the importance of taxis to Glasgow’s transport system and economy.

She explained how late night workers rely on taxis to get home after a shift and women, people with disabilities and vulnerable people at night get an “important service” from the drivers.

READ NEXT: 'I want to create a thriving economy' Kate Forbes' plan for Glasgow

The MSP added: “It’s time we recognised the importance of the taxi industry and give it the support it needs and deserves, we need to stop the exodus of drivers leaving the profession because of cost of staying in business and impending regulation that is pushing them out of the sector. The world we live in now requires a strong taxi service.”

Jenny Gilruth, Transport Minister said she agreed taxi drivers are “vital to the economy” and accepted that the pandemic was “challenging” for them.

On extensions and exemptions for the LEZ the minister added: “It is, of course, for Glasgow City Council to outline its position, but I recognise that taxi operators and the unions have been engaging with the local authority.

“Very recently, Glasgow has confirmed that there will be an additional year for drivers whose taxis cannot be retrofitted, and the position for others is simply a requirement to demonstrate that they have signed up to the process of applying for funding.”