Operators that were to be affected by the Birmingham or Leeds Clean Air Zones (CAZs) will be in two minds whether to laugh or cry at news that neither will be implemented when planned.
Blame for that has been laid squarely at the government’s feet by Birmingham City Council and Leeds City Council. So keen were they not to be held responsible that they have issued a joint statement to that effect.
The easy comparison to make is whether an operator that fails to upgrade its fleet in time will be permitted to delay its CAZ compliance without penalty.
The answer to that is obvious, but it bears mentioning: The government has not upheld its commitment to enable timely implementation of the first CAZs. That is a major failing, and one that is unfathomable for such a high-profile project.
Leeds City Council is upholding its part of the bargain where support for operators based within the CAZ is concerned, although that will be of little interest to those outside it.
Also of little comfort to them is how they will eventually be obliged to comply to avoid a financial penalty while other modes of transport with potentially more significant environmental impacts are ignored.
A non-compliant coach or bus will attract a £50 daily charge to enter the Leeds CAZ whenever it is finally implemented. Meanwhile, at the city’s railway station, trains with diesel engine technology dating from the 1980s at best idle for prolonged periods. Cars and vans, regardless of how old and how polluting they are, will also be left alone.
With the above in mind, should it be a surprise that things are not going as planned?
