As the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) comes into force today in Bristol, we spoke to people in Broadmead to get a feel for public opinion. Although a few people agreed it would improve the air quality, most passers-by we talked to said they feel it is more about money-making than cutting carbon emissions - although Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees has stressed the zone is about air quality, not cashing in.
Only one person we spoke to owned a car that would be impacted by the charges but he said he usually gets the bus into town for work every day anyway. Many people highlighted the problems with public transport in the city and said buses would need to be improved for the CAZ to influence the number of cars on the road.
Others pointed out that it may affect the businesses in the city centre if it makes people drive elsewhere. Some people felt that it was a way to exclude people who may not have the money to buy a newer car and have no choice but to drive through the Clean Air Zone to get to work.
