The UK Government’s Air Quality Plan, published in 2017, aimed to tackle roadside nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations – which have breached safe limits every year since the EU air pollution standards were adopted into UK law in 2010.
It adopted as an overarching goal the total ban on the sale of new diesel and petrol cars by 2040. In the meantime, it also ordered the most polluted local authorities to devise their own clean air plans – which could include Clean Air Zones (CAZs).
CAZs are areas where special measures are introduced to improve air quality and encourage cleaner motoring. This can be done in two ways, charging and non-charging.
A charging CAZ introduces fees for dirtier vehicles entering the zone, as a way of discouraging their use and encouraging their replacement with cleaner vehicles.
A non-charging CAZ, on the other hand, uses non-penalising schemes to improve air quality – such as improved road layouts, provision of charging networks, raising awareness, and new routes for cyclists and pedestrians.
The Government stipulated that non-charging CAZs should be preferable if the local authority can demonstrate that this will deliver compliance as quickly as a charging CAZ.
CAZs can be applied to either all vehicles or only designated ones, including buses, lorries, vans, taxis, private cars, motorcycles and mopeds. London has already introduced a charging CAZ in the form of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in April of this year.
Following London’s lead, other CAZs, charging and non-charging, have been proposed across the UK; with Leeds and Birmingham being the first cities to have these approved ahead of their planned introduction next year.
Here’s a quick guide to what we know so far:
London
Name: Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
Area: Congestion Charge Zone.
Introduced: April 2019.
Private cars, vans, motorcycles and mopeds that do not meet minimum emission standards: £12.50/day.
HGVs, buses and coaches: £100/day.
From 26 October 2020, stricter emissions standards will be introduced for HGVs, buses and coaches.
From 25 October 2021, the ULEZ is due to be expanded to the capital’s North and South Circular Roads.
Hackney and Islington Councils are also proposing to ban all but the cleanest vehicles from two zones in Shoreditch.
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone
Bath
Proposed charging and non-charging CAZs.
Non-compliant buses, coaches and HGVs: £100/day.
Non-compliant LGVs/vans/private hire vehicles and taxis: £9/day.
Introduction: Late 2020.
https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/bath-breathes-2021-overview/overview-scheme
Basildon
Recently rejected calls for a charging CAZ.
Introducing 20mph speed reduction on a stretch of A127 instead.
https://airqualitynews.com/2019/07/03/basildon-rebuff-governments-clean-air-zone-threat/
Birmingham
Confirmed charging CAZ.
Area: All roads within the A4540 Middleway ring road.
All non-compliant cars, taxis and LGVs: £8/day.
Non-compliant HGVs, coaches and buses: £50/day.
Introduction: January 2020 but has been delayed to later in the year (TBC).
https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20076/pollution/1763/a_clean_air_zone_for_birmingham/5
Bristol
Still considering charging and non-charging CAZs.
Introduction: 2021 (earliest).
Two options are being considered. The first is a medium Class-C zone, which would impose a £100-a-day charge on non-compliant buses, coaches and HGVs, and a £9-day-change on non-compliant LCVs and taxis.
The second is a ban on diesel cars driving through the small zone from 7am to 3pm, seven days a week.
https://www.cleanairforbristol.org/faqs/
Cambridge
Considering plans for charging and/or non-charging CAZ.
Canterbury
No plans or proposals for a CAZ.
Has also ruled out a CAZ.
Coventry
Proposed charging CAZ.
Non-compliant diesel cars, taxis, private hire cars, vans and minibuses: £8.
HGVs and buses: £50.
Introduction: TBC.
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-congestion-charge-cars-16385002
Derby
Planned non-charging CAZ.
https://airqualitynews.com/2019/03/05/derby-submit-outline-business-case-which-confirms-no-caz/
Introduction: 2020.
Exeter
No plans or proposals for CAZ.
Glasgow
Planned non-charging CAZ/LEZ.
A Low Emission Zone (LEZ) was introduced in the city centre in 2012 for local bus services, banning non-compliant buses, and is planned to be extended to all vehicles.
Introduction: 31 December 2022.
https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=23025
Leicester
Planned non-charging CAZ for buses.
Introduction: 2020.
Possible charging CAZ by 2026.
https://cbwmagazine.com/leicester-bus-companies-agree-clean-air-zone-end-2020/
Leeds
Type: Confirmed charging CAZ.
Area: All roads within boundary of A61 and A63, Leeds city centre.
No charges for private cars and vans.
Non-compliant HGVs, buses and coaches: £50/day.
Taxis and private hire vehicles: £12.50/day.
Introduction: Was due to go live in January 2020 but has been delayed to later in the year (no official date yet).
https://www.leeds.gov.uk/business/environmental-health-for-business/air-quality
Liverpool
Considering the viability of charging CAZ.
Newcastle and Gateshead
Proposed charging CAZ and LEZ.
Original proposals for £12.50/day charge for high-emissions vehicles as well as a £3.40 toll to cross the Tyne were rejected by residents.
Latest proposals reduce the size of the charging CAZ and propose a delay on applying it to private cars. New fees have not been revealed.
Introduction: 2021.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-49299700
Manchester
Proposed charging CAZ.
Area: Whole of Greater Manchester.
Non-compliant HGVs: £100/day.
Taxis and private hire vehicles: £7.50/day.
Introduction: 2021.
Expanding in 2023 to include a £7.50/day fee for non-compliant vans, minibuses, motorhomes and motorised horseboxes.
https://cleanairgm.com/clean-air-plan
Nottingham
CAZ not required.
Council announced that research showed it was not required.
Oxford
Proposed Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ).
All non-zero emission vehicles banned during certain hours from parking and loading in the inner zone. In a larger zone, Euro 6 required for buses. City-wide taxi emissions standards.
Introduction: 2020.
https://www.oxford.gov.uk/news/article/965/plans_for_zero_emission_zone_in_oxford_move_ahead_in_the_journey_to_zero_emissions
Sheffield
Proposed charging CAZ.
Area: Inside inner ring road.
Buses, coaches and HGVs: £50/day.
Private hire vehicles, vans and LGVs: £10/day.
Introduction: 2021.
https://airqualitynews.com/2018/11/13/sheffield-plans-class-c-charging-clean-air-zone/
Southampton
Planned non-charging CAZ.
Original plans for a charging CAZ were rejected by locals.
Introduction: 2020.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-46961926
St Albans
Non-charging CAZ under consideration.
Warrington
Non-charging and charging CAZ under consideration.
https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/17610973.warrington-clean-air-zone-would-cost-7m-to-introduce/
Wokingham
LEZ under consideration.
York
Proposed non-charging CAZ for buses.
Area: Inner ring road and city centre.
http://jorair.co.uk/aqap3/
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