Bristol’s Clean Air Zone launched a year ago and long-awaited …

The Clean Air Zone in Bristol launched exactly a year ago in a bid to reduce harmful pollution from road traffic. The government set legal limits for air pollution and Bristol City Council[1] set up the scheme to try and reduce pollution levels to within those limits. Air pollution, such as nitrogen dioxide, is harmful to human health and particularly affects children, older people and people with heart or lung conditions.

A major source of pollution is cars, vans, lorries and buses, especially those with diesel engines. Data on whether air quality levels[2] have changed over the past year is expected to be published imminently. Months ago the council refused requests for data on how the Clean Air Zone was affecting air pollution, as well as the number of fines issued.

Back then, a council spokesman said all the details would be published in a cabinet report in December. The next cabinet meeting is on Tuesday, December 5, to which the long-awaited report of the effects of the Clean Air Zone is expected to be published a few days prior. The daily charge to enter the zone area only affects drivers of the dirtiest, most polluting vehicles.

The idea is to deter drivers from polluting the area in a large area around the centre of Bristol, and encourage them to switch to less polluting vehicles. All the cash raised from the scheme will be spent on operating the Clean Air Zone and improving transport infrastructure around Bristol, including on bus services and cycle routes. It’s unclear how much money the council has raised, but it’s expected to be over GBP9 million.

Toxic air pollution is thought to contribute to 300 deaths every year in the city. Bristol mayor Marvin Rees[5] previously said the scheme could eventually be scrapped, if pollution levels fall enough, but one motoring expert warned the Clean Air Zone will “inevitably be expanded”. Several years ago Client Earth, an environmental charity, legally challenged the government over their lack of action to reduce air pollution.

In 2017 the government chose to roll down legal responsibility to councils in cities to improve air quality, leading to the creation of new Clean Air Zones.

References

1. ^ Bristol City Council (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
2. ^ air quality levels (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
3. ^ GBP9m from Clean Air Zone charges to fund Bristol buses and road repairs (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
4. ^ Bristol Clean Air Zone fine for woman after her broken-down van was carried through city centre (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
5. ^ Marvin Rees (www.bristolpost.co.uk)