Clean Air Zone Councillors set to debate increasing charge to £14

RIVERS of some vehicles could soon have to pay £14 a day to enter the Clean Air Zone in Bristol. Since being introduced almost three years ago, pollution in the city centre has plummeted but recently progress has slowed and last year nitrogen dioxide even increased in two locations.

- Alex SEABROOK Local democracy reporter

The Clean Air Zone covers a large area around the city centre. Drivers of particularly polluting vehicles have to pay £9 a day to Bristol City Council to enter the zone, which is then spent on providing more sustainable forms of transport like putting on new bus services.

The zone was brought in after the government raised concerns about dangerously high levels of nitrogen dioxide harming people’s health. Councillors on the environment policy committee will consider increasing the fees on Thursday, November 6. Options include £10, £12 or even £14.

A committee report said: “Rising inflation, shifts in travel behaviours, and smaller reductions in NO2 in 2024 than in 2023 suggest the current charges may no longer act as a strong deterrent. To help accelerate progress toward clean air objectives and improve public health, one option under consideration is to increase CAZ charges to encourage higher levels of compliance.