Under the scheme, all motorised vehicles which fail to meet strict emission standards will be banned from 1.2 square mile area of the city centre. Plans for a second city-wide zone excluding non-compliant lorries and buses have bee dropped. The zone is due to be introduced in May 2022 but will only be enforced from June 2024.

Gavin Thomson, transport campaigner with Friends of the Earth Scotland, said they were disappointed with the plan.

He said: “The LEZ won’t do even what it is supposed to do, which is improve the air quality and make sure Edinburgh doesn’t break legal limits for air pollution. The committee papers even acknowledge that.