Bristol's Clean Air Zone - which will charge drivers of the most polluting vehicles a minimum of £9 for driving in or near the city centre - will begin on November 28.
The Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees made the announcement today, and said that three-quarters of vehicles that drive around the city centre won't be charged. Signs and cameras are already going up around the city on the edge of the CAZ, with a major public-awareness campaign starting with billboard posters up to warn people they could be charged.
The Clean Air Zone scheme has been controversially delayed several times and was initially due to come into force in October last year, but has repeatedly been pushed back and most recently was expected to be launched this September. Mayor Marvin Rees said that the latest launch delay was down to a “national issue with bus lanes”.
Read more: Clean Air Zone test cameras in Bristol start going up as council reveals locations
The CAZ start date of November 28 - the last Monday in November - will mean that from that date anyone driving a vehicle that is deemed too polluting - generally older petrol and diesel vehicles, especially vans and lorries - will have to pay a fee.
There are exemptions - and the Mayor said he was trying to get those exemptions extended because of the delays. He said: "After much technical work and lengthy negotiations with the Government, Bristol's Clean Air Zone will start operating later this year, on 28 November. Due to the late start date, we are taking the opportunity to push Government to extend the exemptions, including, importantly, for those visiting hospitals, blue badge holders and for people working in the zone earning less than £27,000 a year.
"Despite the late start date we will still reach compliance by the end of next year, and our work to do this right has brought that date forward by several years, as well as ensuring our most deprived citizens are not the worst affected. This is a major milestone on our journey to clean air.
"Poor air quality has a major impact on the health of everyone in our city and the Clean Air Zone will help us to deliver clean air in 2023. The Clean Air Zone is one step as we push for more powers on wood-burning and non mobile machinery.
"When the Clean Air Zone goes live, three-quarters of Bristol's drivers won't be charged, as their vehicles are already compliant - and we've secured £42 million to support people on low incomes and to support Bristol's businesses with grants and loans to upgrade their vehicles and increase active travel.
"You don't need to buy a new electric car, it could be as simple as going to your second hand car dealer and upgrading your 2003 petrol car for a 2006 one, or for diesels, that's 2015 diesel onwards. Many people have already taken steps to adapt how they travel, some have upgraded vehicles to cleaner ones, others have started using buses and cycling or walking more. Every small change will make a big difference to your health and importantly as well, to the health of others," he added.
The council has asked the Government to extend the deadline for people applying for the exemptions. At present, there is an exemption available until July 2023 for those who have successfully applied for financial support, but who haven't yet bought their new vehicle.
But people who live within the zone - which stretches from the A4 Portway, Ashton Gate and Cumberland Basin in the west, to the bottom of the M32 and Temple Meads in the east - could end up having to pay after just a month as the Government exemptions are due to finish at the end of 2022.
That also applies for people working in the zone who earn less than £27,000 a year, Blue Badge holders and patients attending hospitals in the CAZ.
The Mayor said he's going back to Government to ask for more help for those people, as well as the money the Government have granted the city to help people switch to other forms of transport.
Mayor Rees added: “We’re making sure that the Clean Air Zone won’t have a detrimental impact on people on low incomes or businesses. With five months until the zone starts, there’s still time to get help from the council if you need to replace your vehicle.
“Contact us to find out how we can help you an interest free loan or even a grant which you don’t pay back. We’ve received over 3,800 applications for financial support. Our advisors have processed most of the applications from our priority groups. Our finance partners will be contacting eligible applicants from August to guide them through the next stage of the process by putting them in touch with approved dealerships," he added.
Read Next:
- Clean Air Zone test cameras in Bristol start going up as council reveals locations
- Bristol’s Clean Air Zone launch date faces delay due to ‘national issue with bus lanes’
- Bristol Clean Air Zone will now be starting 'towards the end of the year'
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