November 2022 now likely start date for Bristol’s clean air zone

Marvin Rees claims delays to the clean air zone (CAZ) implementation will not affect the timeframe for Bristol’s air pollution levels to reach legal compliance.

The mayor said the city is now looking at a start date of November this year for the new measures after recently revealing the latest hiccup has pushed back the original September deadline.

He told journalists that national changes to bus lane guidelines brought in by the government had caused delays from one of the suppliers contracted to implement the CAZ, prompting criticism from opposition councillors who argued the reasons given were “concerningly vague”.

Rees says the council is doing all it can to prepare the city for the incoming measures.

In the meantime, he maintains the timeframe for reaching compliance, which means bringing the city’s air pollution to within legal NO₂ limits in ‘the shortest time possible’, remains unaltered because behavioural changes are already happening.

Marvin Rees says behavioural change is already happening in Bristol – photo: Ellie Pipe

The council told Bristol24/7 it is not yet able to share any data on the grants and loans issued or the number of vehicles replaced but has stated that it has received more than 3,800 applications for financial support.

There is also currently no breakdown of how many people have accessed the £5.9m worth of free active travel support because it was only launched last week.

Asked when the CAZ will now come into play, the mayor said: “It looks like we’re looking at November.”

He continued, saying the council is doing its bit but that the infrastructure itself has to be delivered with the government.

Rees said changes that have impacted contractors tasked with putting infrastructure in place have had a knock-on effect on delivering the zone in Bristol.

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Read more: ‘Bristolians are sick of cars clogging up streets and pavements’

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Bristol, along with other UK cities, was ordered by the government in 2017 to implement measures to clean up its polluted air.

Asked about the impact of further delays in bringing in the CAZ, the mayor said: “Our understanding at the moment is that there will be no impact on the date of compliance.”

Bristol City Council says it is helping the estimated 30 per cent of drivers with non-compliant vehicles to switch to greener alternatives and also supporting bus and coach operators to retrofit or replace older, polluting buses.

Bristol24/7 has been told advisors have processed most of the applications from priority groups and eligible applicants will be contacted from August to go through to the next stage of the process to upgrade their vehicle.

A council spokesperson said: “The active travel offers are open to everyone that lives or works in Bristol and have the huge potential for positive behaviour change to benefit our health, environment and economy. The three-year scheme includes one month bike and e-bike trials, adult cycle training courses, VOI eScooter credit, taster bus tickets and personalised travel planning sessions.”

Main photo: Ellie Pipe

Read more: Implementation of Bristol’s clean air zone could be delayed again

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