Bristol Clean Air Zone to launch summer 2022
Good news for Bristol residents but what does it mean for us in North Somerset?
Bristol City Council announced last week that the Government has now approved its Clear Air Zone ("CAZ") proposal and intends to launch the scheme next summer with the aim of meeting clean air targets by 2023.
As I noted in
my post earlier this year, although everybody agrees that improving Bristols air quality is important the manner in which it is tackled is of crucial importance for us here in North Somerset - the devil is in the detail. Not only which cars will be charged to enter the CAZ but what are boundaries of the CAZ itself.
Where are the boundaries of the Clean Air Zone?
The main area of contention was the proposal to include parts of the Portway (A4, road from the harbour to Avonmouth) in the CAZ. At the moment many road users visiting North Somerset (for example to go to the Airport) currently leave the M5 at junction 18. My concern was that its inclusion would simply divert traffic down to M5 junction 19 and then through Failand, Leigh Woods, and Long Ashton. Not only would this be a longer journey, hence increasing total carbon emissions, it could mean that Bristol has just exported air pollution to us.
Representations were made by both Long Ashton Parish Council and North Somerset Council to Government and directly to Bristol City Council to try and avoid this. We even asked our MP to get involved. Sadly, this has fallen on deaf ears. As you can see form the map below, taken from Bristol Councils CAZ website, parts of the Portway have been included.
This is disappointing and sadly there is nothing we can now do to change this. It is difficult to know the impact on local communities of this change. Although Bristol City Council says 71% of Bristol vehicles will not be charged (see below) there will undoubtedly be some displacement. I have asked the council to, at the very least, put measures in place assess any local increase in pollution and traffic.
£9 a day charge, will I have to pay?
Bristol City Council says that "around 71 per cent of vehicles in Bristol are already compliant so won't have to pay to enter the zone". Basically, older and more polluting vehicles are being targeted, the daily charge for private petrol/diesel cars will be £9.
Officially charges will not apply to Euro 4, 5, and 6 petrol vehicles (roughly 2006 onwards) or to Euro 6 diesel vehicles (roughly end of 2015 onwards). If you're like me you probably haven't a clue about the Euro status of your car. Helpfully, Bristol Council have said they will follow the same rules as Birminghams CAZ, and you can check whether or you will be charged on the Governments website by clicking here.
ln addition there will be a number of exemptions, these will include:
- People on low incomes travelling into the zone for work (currently earning less than £26,000)
- Patients and visitors to hospitals in the zone
- Blue Badge Holders
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