You wouldn’t think we were in the middle of a global pandemic when councils and cities around the UK continue to push forward with the introduction of clean air zones. Chris Hargreaves reports…
Greater Manchester, for example, is looking at forcing private hire and taxi vehicles to go electric in just a couple of years, even though thousands are either facing financial hardship which could take years to recover from, or are leaving the industry altogether.
With suggestions that current restrictions could still be in place in some form until the summer, the chauffeur industry now faces additional financial burdens if they enter the area of Bath and North Somerset.
Bath and North East Somerset Council has warned drivers of most pre-euro 6 diesel cars and pre-euro 4 petrol vehicles will be affected by a new charge. A new emissions charge is to be introduced for those using the most polluting petrol and diesel cars within the city centre which will run 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The new charges for entering the city will come into force from its launch date on 15 March. However, the Council has confirmed private cars and motorbikes will not need to pay a daily fee to travel in the zone which will raise questions as to why those using their “private vehicles” to work in the gig economy, such as Hermes to Uber Eats will be exempt.
Whilst the council appears to be giving a significant commercial sector a free pass, many other higher emission vehicle owners will also be affected including motorhomes. Higher emission minibuses, taxis, private hire vehicles including licensed executive/chauffeur vehicles and vans will pay £9 a day to use roads in the city centre.
Buses, coaches, Heavy Goods Vehicles and motorhomes will face a £100 per day charge to drive into the zone and this could also mean limousine operators running stretch limousines also face large fees for entering the zone.
Councillor Sarah Warren, Joint Cabinet Member for Climate emergency and Neighborhood Services urged drivers to check whether they would be affected by the charge ahead of its introduction.
She said: “We’re urging businesses and individuals to check whether they need to pay to drive in Bath’s CAZ, well in advance of its launch, using GOV.UK’s vehicle checker.”
“If you know that charges will apply to your vehicles, you can then plan what to do.
Councillor Warren stated that certain groups will be exempt which will include hard-to-replace vehicles and vehicles that support vulnerable groups.
“Rather than pay the charge to drive in the zone, we ask that you look at options to upgrade non-compliant vehicles using the financial support on offer or look at reorganising larger regional or national fleets so that non-compliant vehicles avoid Bath”, Councillor Warren suggested.
The council has wanted an autopay feature will not be available in the city’s Clean Air Zone meaning owners of non-compliant vehicles will need to carefully manage their own payments to avoid being caught out.
Payment can be made up to six days in advance of a journey or six days after a journey has been made. The Council has warned no reminders will be sent with payment made to GOV.UK’s ‘Drive-in clean air zone’ service online.
Drivers could receive a £120 fine if they fail to pay the charge although this can be reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days of receiving the Penalty Charge Notice.
Bath’s Clean Air Zone will be the first to launch outside London with other scheme planned to launch in Birmingham and Bristol.
Councillor Joanna Wright, Joint Cabinet Member for Transport Services appealed for everyone to “do their bit” to help improve the air quality in the city.
She said: “We can all do something to improve air quality in the city.
“While charges in the zone only apply to commercial and larger vehicles, we’re appealing to everyone to change their travel habits, particularly when Covid restrictions hopefully lift later in the year as people are vaccinated and the pressure on the NHS reduces.
“That could be using the park and ride, taking the bus, or walking or cycling more – particularly on the school run and for shorter trips across the city.
“To reduce the harmful levels of NO2 in Bath, we’re asking everyone to do their bit.”
There will also be support to businesses such as “taxis” and small businesses that might be struggling, due to Covid-19, to secure the grants and interest-free finance included in the support package. Whilst any financial help is welcomed, again it raises the question why the general public and those in the gig economy will be exempt from charges for entering the zone, avoiding the extra financial pressure of upgrading vehicles and fleets if vehicle emissions are causing such damage.
You could conclude, rightly or wrongly that if this was to be applied to the general public there would be uproar and little chance of the wider public supporting the implementation of a clean air zone.
To check if your vehicle is compliant you can search here.
