A consultation on the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone (CAZ) will launch on Wednesday 15 July. The CAZ is scheduled for introduction by the end of 2021. Portsmouth City Council has reaffirmed its earlier position that such an approach is not its “preferred solution” to tackle air pollution in the affected area, but it is acting under Ministerial direction.
The CAZ will capture an area to the south west of Portsmouth. A daily charge will be payable for coaches and buses that do not meet Euro VI standards. The local authority previously suggested that the charge could be up to £100 for some vehicle classes.
In announcing the CAZ consultation, Portsmouth City Council acknowledges that the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic “has had a significant impact on the economy.” As a result, many businesses may not be able to replace their vehicles as quickly as the previous research suggested, it adds.
Says Dave Ashmore, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change: “The CAZ is not our preferred solution to the air pollution problem.
“However, we are required to do this. We are making sure that we do so in the best possible way by giving everyone the opportunity to have their say on how the CAZ will operate. Those that are impacted can tell us their views on how funding support can be shared fairly.”
Consultation participants are being encouraged to submit their views online. If that is not possible, further information will be given on how to do so via hard copy or telephone when the consultation launches on PCC’s dedicated webpage.
