Bristol launches Clean Air Zone as Bill to ensure right to clean air progresses

Sat 03 December 2022 View all news

Bristol has become the latest city to launch a Clean Air Zone to tackle local air pollution. No vehicles will be banned from entering the zone, which covers the central area of the city and the Portway, but older and more polluting vehicles, including cars, are being charged. (There is no charge for motorcycles)

Meanwhile, new legislation which could ensure everyone has the right to clean air - known as 'Ella's Law' - has passed scrutiny in the House of Lords and will soon be debated in Commons. The legislation is named after Ella Adoo Kissi-Debrah; the first person in the UK to have air pollution listed as a cause of death. 

Officially known as the Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill, 'Ella's Law' would ensure pollutants and pollution limits are reviewed and monitored by a variety of public bodies to clear up the UK’s air within five years. A citizens commission would also review the Government’s compliance with targets.

Bristol has implemented a Class D CAZ, requiring drivers of all older, non-compliant, vehicles to pay a daily fee to enter the zone. Over 71% of vehicles, however, already meet the required emission standards so will not need to pay the fee. 

Cars, taxis and vans that don’t meet the required emissions standard will be charged £9 per day, while trucks, buses and coaches will pay £100. Charges will apply at all times but there are exemptions for petrol vehicles that meet Euro 4 standard and diesels that meet Euro 6. Electric and hydrogen vehicles are exempt, as are motorbikes and modified or retrofitted vehicles registered with the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS), which was established by Zemo Partnership and Energy Saving Trust.

Bristol's CAZ follows the introduction of measures in cities around the UK (and Europe). CAZs have been introduced in England and Wales and Low Emission Zones (LEZs) for Scotland in response to air quality strategies developed by the UK and Scottish Governments.  

Responsibility for implementing the strategy is devolved to local authorities policy that follows the national clean air zone framework.

As well as London's Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), other cities with restrictions introduced to improve air quality include: 

  • Bath - A Class C CAZ (implemented March 2021) with charges applying to taxis, private hire vehicles, vans (including pick-ups and some camper vans), light goods vehicles, buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles that do not meet the required emission standards.  A consultation opened in December to consider a new £50 charge for Class N3 (12 tonnes +) Euro VI HGVs. A decision is anticipated by Summer 2023.

  • Bradford - Class C CAZ (implemented September 2022).

  • Birmingham - Class D CAZ (implemented June 2021).

  • Portsmouth - Class B CAZ (implemented November 2021) covers buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs and heavy goods vehicles. 

Future Zones are planned for Newcastle and Gateshead (Tyneside) (Class C Zone to begin end-Jan 2023) ; Sheffield (Class C Zone to go live 27 Feb 2023); Greater Manchester (scheme currently under review).

Further details of current and planned Clean Air Zones are available on the UK Government website. 

  

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