Bath & North East Somerset council has outlined the three options it is considering for the implementation of a charging Clean Air Zone in the central core of Bath.
It is one of 28 councils where NO2 is projected to exceed national air quality objectives beyond 2021, and is required by the government to implement measures.
It will make a final decision by the end of this year, and implement the CAZ by 2020.
The three options all require Euro 6 diesels as a minimum.
Option B would see coaches, buses, minibuses and trucks charged. Option C would also include vans, while Option D would add cars.
A decision on charges and hours of operation “will be reached after further technical assessment and public engagement,” says the council.
Councillor Bob Goodman, Cabinet Member for Development and Neighbourhoods, says: “It may be possible for us to achieve the required air quality improvements without the need to charge cars, however further detailed work has to be done before a final package is agreed later this year.”
Launching the plans for consultation this week the council says it is seeking views on the options and how they could best be introduced in order to ‘maximise the air quality benefits, while minimising any effects of residents and economy, particularly on low income families and businesses’.
Possible suggestions include reduced cost of residents’ parking permits for low-emission vehicles; improved public transport facilities; better walking and cycling routes and improving bus lanes.
Councillor Mark Shelford, cabinet member for transport, added: “Alongside this action on air quality, we will continue to invest in more sustainable ways to travel to give people greater choice and encourage greener modes of travel while also investing in the infrastructure needed to improve travel across Bath and the wider area.
“We will also be working with the West of England Mayor to invest in modern technologies to encourage the use of low emission vehicles and public transport and increased take up of active forms of travel such cycling and walking which also have direct health benefits.
“Over the coming months each package of measures will be examined in detail and this includes ongoing public engagement, identifying the level of charges, hours of operation and assessing the social and economic impacts of each measure.
“We want to talk and listen to people’s views because this will mean a significant change for the city. However whatever option is chosen it will have to deliver air quality improvements in the shortest possible time and by 2021 at the latest.”
Consultation at: http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/bath-breathes-2021
