News / Clean Air Zone
Air pollution reduced across Bristol since launch of Clean Air Zone
Bristol’s once-illegal levels of air pollution have decreased since the introduction of a Clean Air Zone (CAZ), according to a report on its first year of operation.
Figures published by Bristol City Council state nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution is down by ten per cent across the city and is up to 27 per cent lower in some areas, including Bedminster Down Road and outside the BRI on Upper Maudlin Street.
The CAZ, which was delayed multiple times before its eventual launch in November last year, has also raised almost £26.4m after operational costs were deducted, with predicted net proceeds of £81m up to 2026.
is needed now More than ever
These funds – comprising charges for non-compliant vehicles and fines – look set to be spent on improvements to public transport and infrastructure across the city. A five-year plan detailing measures such as better bus reliability, walking and cycling infrastructure and upgrades to highways and the public realm is going to cabinet on January 23.
Some 88 per cent of journeys within the CAZ are now made in compliant vehicles, according to the report, with non-compliant vehicles being charged £9 per day to enter the zone.
Papers also state that NO2 levels have reduced by an average of 12.6 per cent within the zone and 7.8 per cent outside of it. These figures are based on analysis of air quality monitored in diffusion tubes in 170 locations across the city.
Mayor Marvin Rees says they should dispel fears that the CAZ would see air pollution displaced to different neighbourhoods.
While the majority of the 170 monitoring points saw a reduction in NO2, a small minority saw an increase, including Cheltenham Road, by Montpelier High School, which saw a 6.8 per cent increase, Dalby Avenue at the junction with Church Lane in Bedminster, which saw a 16.9 per cent increase and Blackswarth Road, opposite St Patrick’s School in Redfield, where levels rose by 4.4 per cent.
Rees said: “The Clean Air Zone remains a blunt instrument from national government, who take £2 from every £9 charge paid by motorists, but, thanks to the support package that we negotiated from Westminster, it is working.”
He continued,: “In the face of a national cost of living crisis, where everyone continues to feel the squeeze, footfall in Bristol city centre has stayed steady – even increasing by 16 percent at St Nick’s Market. This is testament to the dynamism and increasing diversity of our city centre’s offer.”
Rees said that he wouldn’t support a charging Clean Air Zone to cover the whole city, adding: “The CAZ was never about making money for the council: it was about clean air. If our progress in cleaning up our air continues, then, in the not-too-distant future, the CAZ should come to an end.”
NO2 levels have reduced by 27 per cent outside the BRI on Upper Maudlin Street since the launch of the Clean Air Zone – photo: Martin Booth
This new report follows a technical interim report from the Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) in November 2023, which showed that Bristol had passed the state one assessment, with the state two assessment report expected this summer
The four stages for determining if a local authority is achieving success on clean air are:
- State one: on track to achieve success
- State two: has achieved success
- State three: demonstrated to be maintaining success with measures
- State four: likely to continue maintaining success in the absence of measures
Christina Gray, director of communities and public health at Bristol City Council, said: “Clean air is important in helping reduce the risk of respiratory issues and infections such as asthma, lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Air pollution can also contribute to other health issues like depression.
“I am delighted to see that the Clean Air Zone is already making a huge difference to Bristol’s air quality, which will have a positive impact on residents’ health now and in the future.
“Our children, grandchildren, and beyond, will benefit from the cleaner air that we are all delivering through changing vehicle use and our active travel.”
A total of 285,645 fines have been paid by drivers for failing to pay the daily charge in time. These represent 49 per cent of fines issued, with a further 33,145 (six per cent) of fines cancelled following a successful representation or appeal and 91,125 (16 per cent) of cases were written off as enforcement agents were unable to trace the keeper or recover the debt.
Surplus income from the CAZ is partly set aside in reserves to cover future decommissioning costs when the scheme ends.
Main photo: Ellie Pipe
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