So that’s where my money went. A few months ago I was driving into Glasgow to pick up the godson and strayed into the dreaded LEZ. Sure enough, a few days later I was told that my Toyota Yaris had been spotted in the forbidden zone (arrest the Toyota Yaris!) and I would have to pay a fine. I’ve also now learned where the money from the fine has gone, as well as the money from other people’s fines too, and it might be good if we talked about whether it’s money well spent.

I can tell you now that the money was spent on trees, specifically 28 trees that have been placed in planters around the city. There’s one in the Trongate and there’s one outside the Gallery of Modern Art and other places, and the trees are a mix of cherry blossom, birch and rowan, to ward off the witches. Councillor Angus Millar, convenor for city centre recovery (how do you think it’s going Mr Millar?) said reinvesting the LEZ money into trees would improve the look and feel of the city centre and secure a positive legacy from the council’s actions to reduce air pollution. “They represent our commitment to a greener, healthier and more sustainable Glasgow,” he said.

Fair enough I guess, although I have a few questions. Firstly, why only 28 trees? More please. Secondly, why put the trees in planters, which make them more prone to disease and death and restrict their growth? Why not plant them in the ground instead? And thirdly, why not commit all of the money from LEZ into environmental projects? Some £732,000 from the fines has been spent on community projects but the LEZ raised more than £1m in the first 10 months alone which means some of the money, to which I’ve contributed a bob or two, is going elsewhere.........

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