THE CHAIRPERSON of the NFRC has hit the headlines this week, after being forced to invest more than £40,000 in unplanned van upgrades.

Scott Miller, director of Edinburgh-based Compass Roofing Ltd has spent the money replacing four vans to comply with the city’s new Low Emission Zone (LEZ) rules.

The new rules, which came into force on 1 June, impose hefty fines on drivers whose vehicles don’t comply with emission standards. Fines of £60 are doubled if you enter the city centre zone again with 90 days – up to £480.

Now, local press is highlighting Scott’s experience. Scott told reporters: “It’s never a good time to spend £40,000 on something you don’t need to spend it on.

“The vans were roadworthy, they were well-maintained, and they were good vans. [I felt like] I didn’t have to spend it. But I did have to spend it in relation to accessing the LEZ.”

NFRC Chair

Scott said other contractor members of the NFRC are “suffering” due to the financial pressures of replacing their vehicles.

He said: “Our member companies come to us and in Edinburgh and Glasgow saying they have to change vans to comply with the LEZ. It has put people under a financial burden. A lot of them are suffering.”

Scott asserts that Edinburgh’s steep LEZ fining system is too harsh. Unlike London’s emission zone rules which charge a £12.50 a day, Edinburgh’s system imposes penalties starting at £60 and doubling every time drivers enter the zone again, up to a total of £480.

He said: “The fines keep racking up. It’s not like the fines are £50 at a time like a parking ticket. These fines keep going up and doubling. I think it’s an unfair way of doing things.

Scott says the LEZ rules are stopping roofers without access to compliant vehicles taking jobs inside the LEZ.

He stated: “It’s doing a disservice to people who live within the Zone, because they can’t get good tradesmen to carry out the work. It’s a two-way thing.”

Edinburgh Council says it first introduced the LEZ scheme in 2022, giving drivers a two years grace period when no fines were issued. This was intended to allow Scottish drivers time to get used to the new scheme.

Edinburgh Council leader Cammy Day explained: “The various schemes to help individuals and businesses retrofit or scrap vehicles which do not meet emissions standards have been widely promoted and people can still apply if they meet the criteria.

“I’d add that we’re always looking for ways in which we can support and celebrate our local businesses. They’re a cornerstone of our local economy.”

>> Read more about NFRC in the news

The post NFRC Chair Hits Headlines appeared first on Roofing Today.