An update on the proposed Clean Air Zone for Bath

The Council is currently consulting on their proposal for a Class D Clean Air Zone for a part of Bath.

This means all higher emission buses, coaches, HGVs, private hire vehicles, taxis, LGVs/vans and cars would be charged when driving in the proposed zone from the end of 2020. Below are the proposed plan:

Vehicles that would be charged in the zone:

• Pre-Euro 6 diesel vehicles, including hybrids (older than approx. 2015)
• Pre-Euro 4 petrol vehicles, including hybrids (older than approx. 2006)

Vehicles that would not be charged in the zone:

• Euro 6 diesel vehicles (registered from approx. 2015)
• Euro 4, 5 or 6 petrol vehicles (registered from approx. 2006)
• Fully electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles

Proposed charges:

• £9 for higher emission, non-compliant cars, taxis and LGVs/vans
• £100 for higher emission, non-compliant buses, coaches and HGVs

Charges would apply once in every 24-hour period (midnight to midnight) when entering or driving in the zone. This would apply 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If a vehicle is parked in the zone and does not move, you would not pay the charge.

Research suggests that by 2021, zone charges will affect only 25% of vehicles.

Map of the Proposed Clean Air Zone:

bath-clean-ir-zone.jpg

Proposed Supporting Measures:

The Council is also considering other measures and looking at how to help families and businesses that need it most to upgrade from certain noncompliant vehicles. They want to encourage better use of the park & ride and public transport.

We anticipate that all buses will be compliant by the time a zone is introduced. These measures are dependent on funding from the Government and any surplus revenue from the zone in the future.

Projects under way:

• Retrofitting older buses
• An air quality awareness campaign to encourage a shift in travel behaviour

Projects subject to funding by 2021:

• Additional retrofitting of older buses
• Anti-idling enforcement
• Reduced cost of parking permits for ultralow emission vehicles such as fully electric cars
• Additional and improved cycle parking
• Additional and improved electric vehicle charging points
• Extended opening hours at the park & ride sites, plus secure overnight parking
• Walk/scoot/cycle-to-school initiatives
• Financial support schemes for residents and businesses that need it most

Projects subject to funding post-2021:

• Additional improvements to walking and cycling routes
• Introduction of electric cycle hire in the city
• Expansion of low-emission car and van clubs in the city
• Public transport improvements on key routes into the city and within the zone
• Smaller park & ride sites along existing bus routes
• Support for local HGV owners to retrofit Euro 4 and 5 diesel vehicles

As always I would be keen to hear what people think about the issue by sending comments to: info@bathchamber.co.uk