Council workers have been door-knocking in Bristol neighbourhoods helping residents to prepare for the upcoming imposition of the Bristol Clean Air Zone (CAZ).
After visiting homes in Lawrence Weston on Friday, representatives of Bristol City Council will be in Filwood between 11am and 3pm today (August 3), handing out information about changes and charges set to come into force from November 28.
Drivers of the most polluting vehicles will be charged at least £9 for driving within the CAZ boundary, in an effort to cut an estimated three hundred deaths per year from traffic-related air pollution. The border of the zone will stretch to the Bearpit in the north, Temple Meads train station in the east and the River Avon in the south and west.
Read more: The story so far of Bristol's delayed clean air zone
Signs warning drivers of these boundaries and cameras to enforce the upcoming anti-pollution measure have already been going up around the city centre. The scheme is similar to government-backed clean air zones already operating in cities including Bath, Birmingham and Portsmouth.
Even more of the potentially lifesaving low-emissions zones are due to be launched in Bradford, Sheffield and Tyneside between late 2022 and early 2023. Bristol City Council also hosted several CAZ roadshows throughout July, and there are even more opportunities to find out about the scheme on Wednesdays in August.
Staff will set up shop at the University of Bristol’s Tyndall Avenue sports hall between 9.30am and 2pm on August 17, at Bristol Royal Infirmary’s Queens Building from 10am to 2pm on August 24, and at Morrisons in Hartcliffe between 11am and 3pm on August 31.
A council spokesperson said: “So far we have carried out 45 engagement events and have more planned for communities as we come closer to the launch date. Our travel advisors can help individuals check if they will be affected by the zone and signpost to further support where needed.
"They are also trained to give personalised travel advice and can help people make the most of the free active travel offers currently available to anyone in Bristol."
The spokesperson added: "Our face-to-face engagement, including door knocking and roadshow events, means residents who do not have access to our digital resources are kept informed and have an opportunity to ask questions.
"We want to make sure that our support reaches those who need it most and our advisors often find that they can have better, more detailed conversations when speaking to residents and businesses in person."
The local authority has made exceptions for those on low incomes and some of those operating small businesses within the city centre. There is also financial support of up to £4,500 available for those who wish to purchase greener vehicles and avoid the upcoming charge. Thousands have already applied for funding.
Full details about the Bristol CAZ can be found on the Clean Air for Bristol website. There is also a vehicle checker tool with which drivers can check whether they are likely to be stung by clean air charges around the UK.
Read next:
Clean Air Zone critics in Bristol vow to boycott city centre and go elsewhere
Clean Air Zone map: Where the borders for the scheme will fall street by street
Bristol Clean Air Zone: How to check if your vehicle will be charged
Thousands apply for Clean Air Zone grants and loans
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