A car lover has described the introduction of the Clean Air Zone in Bristol later this year as "absolutely ridiculous" and went as far as comparing the measures to a coronavirus lockdown.
Bristol City Council revealed last month that the CAZ is expected to launch in September. Designed to curb traffic air pollution, the Clean Air Zone will see drivers of older, more polluting vehicles - an estimated 75,000 a day - charged to enter an area of the city centre.
The council has previously said that it estimates that about three in 10 vehicles in Bristol will attract the charges, which were set at £9 for smaller vehicles and £100 a day for larger vehicles. It has also previously said that the city is under a legal duty to introduce a clean air zone to reduce toxic pollution caused by traffic in the shortest possible time.
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However, Justyna Kowalska is unhappy about the changes and said: "For me, a car means freedom - I can go wherever I want. We have got used to being free and it feels like, in a way, they are putting us in another lockdown.
"In the past, cars were a luxury good but they are not anymore - they are essential. Prices for electric vehicles are absolutely horrendous.
"It would cost a lot of money for trades people to upgrade their vans so they will be charges that will be added to invoices.
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"I own an non-compliant vehicle and I can not afford a compliant one. I am thinking of getting a classic car because it would be exempt.
"My main question is what would we have to pay for? If we are going to punish people, if we are going to fine them, we won't be getting better air quality and people are just going to get angry."
Ms Kowalska - who owns a 2005 Land Rover Freelander, which runs on diesel - said she is not against the principles of a Clean Air Zone, but that is against charges being introduced.
The 39-year-old said she is worried that the CAZ is not being publicised enough and that, as people will be unaware, they will end up getting fined.
People need their cars to get to work or may need to carry out their job, she said, giving the example of trades people. She said that the loans being offered for people to upgrade their cars won't make a difference as people will still need to pay that money back.
As part of the CAZ introduction, the council has secured a £42m package of support with the government which includes £1.8 million of loans and grants to help people who need to change their vehicle; £32 million for businesses to upgrade HGVs, LGVs, taxis and private hire vehicles and 5.9 million to help people switch to public transport and make more journeys by walking or cycling with free electric bike loans, cycle training and free bus tickets.
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Ms Kowalska - who lived in Bristol up to 2019 but is now living in Bridgwater - added: "How is paying going to improve air quality?
"Something must be done differently, such as improving public transport.
"I am against the charges because, in my opinion, they won't improve air quality and they will just make people poorer at a time of increasing taxes and rising energy prices. It is absolutely ridiculous what is going on.
"Driving is already so expensive, taking into account road taxes and rising fuel prices, but having a car is just becoming more unaffordable for people.
"If public transport was more reliable in the city centre, this would not be an issue."
Ms Kowalska said she travels to the city from time to time to see friends and that she already thinks carefully before coming into Bristol because of what she described as the expensive parking charges, adding she is worried the Clean Air Zone will put people off going into the city centre and have an impact on businesses.
She said public transport is very expensive and particularly trains.
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