Bradford Clean Air Zone

Last updated

Bradford Clean Air Zone
UK traffic sign S68c.svg
Bradford Clean Air Zone traffic sign symbol
Location Bradford, West Yorkshire, England
Launched26 September 2022
Currency Pound sterling
Website Charging page

Bradford Clean Air Zone is a road traffic low-emission programme in the City of Bradford in West Yorkshire, England. Plans were advanced for many cities in England to have Clean Air Zones (CAZ), but of the ones put forward in Yorkshire, only Bradford's CAZ has been taken to an operational stage. The scheme commenced on 26 September 2022, and all vehicles, barring private cars and motorbikes, must be compliant with the scheme or face a charge for entering into the zone. The programme aims to help the district comply with legal limits for air quality.

Contents

History

Plans were developed in the late 2010s for several Yorkshire cities to have "clean air zones" (CAZ) – Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield, and whilst the latter two have postponed their plans, Bradford Council have pressed ahead with theirs, which gained approval in March 2021 for a launch in January of the following year. [1] [2] The scheme in Leeds was halted due to an unexpected fall in nitrous oxide levels. This fall was attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, which resulted in less traffic on the region's roads. [3] The maximum legal limit of nitrous oxide pollution in the United Kingdom is 40 micrograms (0.00062 gr) per cubic metre. In the City of Bradford district, levels have been found to be 45.3 micrograms (0.000699 gr) on Queens Road (Canal Road), 48.8 micrograms (0.000753 gr) on Market Street in the city centre, and as high as 50.6 micrograms (0.000781 gr) on Shipley Airedale Road (in Bradford). [4] The programme is to help combat pollution within the city (and wider district) which has been ordered, by ministerial direction, to reduce pollution levels being beyond legal limits for air quality. [5] [6] The area within the zone around Bradford City Centre follows the line of the A6177 city ring road. [5] The northern section includes Canal Road and the A650 road to the Bingley bypass, including Saltaire and most of Shipley up to the Fox Corner Junction in Shipley. [7] [8] [9]

It was revealed in 2021, that Bradford Council had been given £39.3 million of UK Government money to implement the scheme and to allow grants to be awarded to users such as taxi firms, minibus and bus firms, and hauliers, allowing them to adapt existing vehicles to greener emission status, or to procure new vehicles entirely. [10] By September 2022, 87% of taxis in the city were compliant with the new clean air zone, 370 buses had been upgraded for compliance, and 33 new electric buses had been procured to work routes in and out of the city centre. [11] [12]

Locally, Bradford Council have presented the clean air zone programme under the title of "Breathe better Bradford" (stylized as breathe better BRADFORD). [13] The health and economic impacts of the CAZ is being assessed by researchers at the Bradford Institute for Health Research ('Born in Bradford'), the University of Leeds and University of York. [14] The scheme was welcomed by campaigners for cleaner air, with one group, Asthma and Lung UK stating that Bradford had the worst hospitalisation rate in Yorkshire of children with breathing difficulties. [15] However, some protested a tax on vehicles entering the city, stating that the cost would "cripple small businesses particularly at a time when people are struggling with the cost of living crisis." [16] The director of the Bradford Institute for Health Research pointed out that "..almost half the schools in Bradford will be in the Clean Air Zone, and so our children will be shielded from the toxic effects of traffic-related air pollution." [17]

Initially set to be launched in January 2022, the project was delayed, and went live on 26 September 2022. [11] [18] [19] The delays to the rollout were criticised by some taxi firms, who said that drivers had been forced to take out extensive short term loans so that they could upgrade their cars for the deadline in January, only for the scheme to be pushed back to spring 2022. [20]

Charging

The UK Government has set out the definitions of four schemes (labelled as A, B, C, and D. Bradford opted for a C-scheme (meaning it is referred to as a C-CAZ), which would see charges for all vehicles except for private cars and motorbikes. [21] ANPR cameras have been installed around the city centre, and along the Shipley/Bradford corridor, to monitor vehicles entering the zone. [22] At the launch in September 2022, drivers of buses and HGVs which did not conform to the approved ratings would be fined £50, vans and minibuses £9, and taxis £7. For each fine doled out, the UK Government would be paid £2. [23] The charging time is to be classified as a day from midnight to midnight, not 24 hours from when a vehicle enters the zone. However, vehicles can leave and re-enter the zone several times between the midnight to midnight period, and only be charged once. [note 1] [24]

Signage for Bradford's Clean Air Zone Bradford Clean Air Zone sign 04.jpg
Signage for Bradford's Clean Air Zone
Bradford C-CAZ charging and details [25]
TypeSymbolCharging [lower-alpha 1] Exemptions
HGV Transportation truck.svg Yes check.svgThose fitted to take Euro 6 Diesel (as a minimum), or alternative fuels
Bus BSicon BUS.svg Yes check.svgThose fitted to take Euro 6 Diesel (as a minimum), or alternative fuels. Certain school buses would be exempt.
Coach Bus.svg Yes check.svgThose fitted to take Euro 6 Diesel (as a minimum), or alternative fuels. Exemptions also exist for those "undertaking educational, charity, or social value work".
Minibus Sinnbild Minibus.svg Yes check.svgThose fitted to take Euro 6 Diesel (as a minimum), or Euro 4 LPG. Exemptions also exist for those "undertaking educational, charity, or social value work".
LGV Font Awesome 5 solid truck.svg Yes check.svgThose fitted to take Euro 6 Diesel (as a minimum), or Euro 4 LPG.
Taxi (Hackney Carriage) Taxi - The Noun Project.svg Yes check.svgThose fitted to take Euro 6 Diesel (as a minimum), or Euro 4 LPG.
Private hire taxi Taxi - The Noun Project.svg Yes check.svgEuro 5/6 Petrol Hybrid LPG (Euro 5 petrol)
Private car Aiga carrental cropped.svg X mark.svgCharging not applicable for private cars or motorbikes. Also exempted are horse-boxes, campervans and motor-homes. [26]
  1. ↑ For non-compliant vehicles

In December 2022, it was revealed that over £1.8 million in charges had been accrued from fines and levies over a twelve week period from the start date in September. Over £180,000 of which would be paid to central government under the charging scheme, the rest would be ring-fenced by Bradford City Council for anti-emission projects. [27]

Notes

  1. ↑ In essence, a vehicle entering the CAZ at 23:59 and staying in the zone until 00:01 the following morning, would be charged twice, what the authorities called "crossing the midnight threshold".

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saltaire</span> Village in West Yorkshire, England

Saltaire is a Victorian model village in Shipley, West Yorkshire, England, situated between the River Aire, the railway, and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Salt's Mill and the houses were built by Titus Salt between 1851 and 1871 to allow his workers to live in better conditions than the slums of Bradford. The mill ceased production in 1986, and was converted into a multifunctional location with an art gallery, restaurants, and the headquarters of a technology company. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and on the European Route of Industrial Heritage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shipley, West Yorkshire</span> Town and civil parish in West Yorkshire, England

Shipley is a historic market town and civil parish in the City of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, by the River Aire and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, north of Bradford. The population of the Shipley ward on Bradford City Council taken at the 2011 Census was 15,483.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London congestion charge</span> Fee for vehicles entering Central London

The London congestion charge is a fee charged on most cars and motor vehicles being driven within the Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ) in Central London between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm Monday to Friday, and between 12:00 noon and 6:00 pm Saturday and Sunday.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">City of Bradford</span> City and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England

The City of BradfordMetropolitan District, commonly called Bradford, is a local government district of West Yorkshire, England, with the status of a city and metropolitan borough. It is named after its largest settlement, Bradford, but covers a large area which includes the towns and villages of Keighley, Shipley, Bingley, Ilkley, Haworth, Silsden, Queensbury, Thornton and Denholme. Bradford has a population of 528,155, making it the fourth-most populous metropolitan district and the sixth-most populous local authority district in England. It forms part of the West Yorkshire Urban Area conurbation which in 2011 had a population of 1,777,934, and the city is part of the Leeds-Bradford Larger Urban Zone (LUZ), which, with a population of 2,393,300, is the fourth largest in the United Kingdom after London, Birmingham and Manchester.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leeds Bradford Airport</span> Airport serving West Yorkshire, England

Leeds Bradford Airport is located in Yeadon, in the City of Leeds Metropolitan District in West Yorkshire, England, about 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Leeds city centre, and about 9 miles (14 km) northeast from Bradford city centre. It serves Leeds and Bradford and the wider Yorkshire region including York, Wakefield and Harrogate, and is the largest airport in Yorkshire. The airport was in public ownership until May 2007, when it was bought by Bridgepoint Capital for £145.5 million. Bridgepoint sold it in 2017 to AMP Capital.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lister Park</span> Public park in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England

Lister Park is a picturesque public park in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, between Manningham, Heaton and Frizinghall. It has won various national awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steeton and Silsden railway station</span> Railway station in West Yorkshire, England

Steeton and Silsden railway station serves the village of Steeton and the town of Silsden in West Yorkshire, England. It is situated closer to Steeton than to Silsden, and is on the Airedale Line. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by Northern.

A low-emission zone (LEZ) is a defined area where access by some polluting vehicles is restricted or deterred with the aim of improving air quality. This may favour vehicles such as bicycles, micromobility vehicles, (certain) alternative fuel vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and zero-emission vehicles such as all-electric vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apperley Bridge railway station</span> Railway station in West Yorkshire, England

Apperley Bridge station is situated in Bradford on the line between Leeds and Shipley, West Yorkshire, England. It serves the district of Apperley Bridge in the north-east of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holme Wood</span> Human settlement in England

Holme Wood is a housing estate in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service</span> County-wide, statutory emergency service

The West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) is the county-wide, statutory emergency fire and rescue service for the metropolitan county of West Yorkshire, England. It is administered by a joint authority of 22 people who are appointed annually from the five metropolitan boroughs of West Yorkshire, known as the Fire and Rescue Authority.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A6177 road</span> Road in England

The A6177 is a ring road around Bradford in West Yorkshire, England. It is mostly formed from existing roads and save for its southern section is single-carriageway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transport in Leeds</span> Road, rail and bus transportation in Leeds, England

Transport within Leeds consists of road, bus and rail networks. Leeds railway station is one of the busiest in Britain, and Leeds is connected to the national road network via the A1(M) motorway, M1 motorway and M62 motorway. The city is served by Leeds Bradford Airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London low emission zone</span> Traffic air pollution charge scheme

The London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is an area of London in which an emissions standard based charge is applied to non-compliant commercial vehicles. Its aim is to reduce the exhaust emissions of diesel-powered vehicles in London. This scheme should not be confused with the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), introduced in April 2019, which applies to all vehicles. Vehicles that do not conform to various emission standards are charged; the others may enter the controlled zone free of charge. The low emission zone started operating on 4 February 2008 with phased introduction of an increasingly stricter regime until 3 January 2012. The scheme is administered by the Transport for London executive agency within the Greater London Authority.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bradford Beck</span> River in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England

Bradford Beck is a river that flows through Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, and on to the River Aire at Shipley. As it reaches Bradford city centre it runs underground after being built over in the 19th century. It is culverted as it runs from Bradford city centre to Queen's Road after which it runs mostly in an open channel to Shipley. The beck used to be known as the filthiest river in England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bradford Literature Festival</span>

The Bradford Literature Festival is a spoken and written word event that promotes literature and is held for ten days annually over June and July in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. The first event was held in 2014 and was attended by 968 people; by the time of the 2018 event, the attendance had risen to over 70,000. The event is noted for its attendance by minority groups and writers, with over 50% of attendees coming from BAME backgrounds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ultra Low Emission Zone</span> London UK vehicle charging zone

The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is an area in London, England, where an emissions standard based charge is applied to non-compliant road vehicles. Plans were announced by London Mayor Boris Johnson in March 2015 for the zone to come into operation in September 2020. Sadiq Khan, the subsequent mayor, introduced the zone early on 8 April 2019. The zone initially covered Central London, the same area as the existing London congestion charge.

A Clean Air Zone (CAZ) is an area in the United Kingdom where targeted action is taken to improve air quality. A CAZ can be non-charging or charging.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Yorkshire mass transit system</span> Future transport system in West Yorkshire, England

The West Yorkshire mass transit system, is a proposed transport system connecting the larger conurbations of West Yorkshire, England, with a central hub at Leeds. The city of Leeds is known to be the largest city in Western Europe without a light rail or metro-style system.

References

  1. ↑ Beecham, Richard (20 August 2020). "Anger at U-turn over Clean Air Zone plan". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  2. ↑ Young, Chris (2 March 2021). "Bradford's Clean Air Zone to be rolled out in January after Council Executive approves proposals". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  3. ↑ Shand, Alistair (17 September 2020). "Clean air zone plans – which would mean charges for some Keighley drivers – are moving forward". Keighley News. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  4. ↑ "Government to get £2 from each Bradford pollution fine". BBC News. 29 July 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  5. 1 2 Coules, Chloe (6 June 2022). "Bradford Clean Air Zone to launch in September". Air Quality News. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  6. ↑ Young, Chris (14 August 2020). "Mixed response to plans for Clean Air Zone in Bradford". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  7. ↑ "Bradford C-CAZ". cbmdc.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  8. ↑ Mitchinson, James, ed. (25 May 2021). "Cabbies opposition to clean air zone in focus". The Yorkshire Post. p. 5. ISSN   0963-1496.
  9. ↑ Kettle, Emilia (21 February 2022). "Bradford Clean Air Zone: What is it and where does it cover?". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  10. ↑ "Bradford Clean Air Zone: Commercial vehicles face £50 pollution charge". BBC News. 23 February 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  11. 1 2 "Bradford clean air zone: City divided over emissions levy". BBC News. 1 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  12. ↑ "Delayed Bradford Clean Air Zone to start in September". BBC News. 2 June 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  13. ↑ "breathe better BRADFORD". www.bradford.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  14. ↑ "New project is a breath of fresh air for Bradford school kids". University of Leeds. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  15. ↑ Ames, Daryl (15 September 2022). "Lung charity praises Bradford for introducing Clean Air Zone". Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  16. ↑ Ames, Daryl (16 September 2022). "Protest against Bradford Clean Air Zone to be staged in City Park". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  17. ↑ Waites, Mike (30 August 2022). "Residents back city's clean air zone plan". The Yorkshire Post. p. 5. ISSN   0963-1496.
  18. ↑ "Bradford Clean Air Zone start delayed until spring 2022". BBC News. 22 December 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  19. ↑ "Bradford clean air zone launches". BBC News. 26 September 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  20. ↑ Hardy, Jack (9 January 2022). "Taxi drivers left fuming over clean air zone car upgrades". The Sunday Telegraph. No. 3, 160. p. 2. ISSN   0307-269X.
  21. ↑ Stanford, Mark (21 February 2021). "Which vehicles are charged and when – Clean Air Zones explained". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  22. ↑ "Bradford Clean Air Zone to start in January 2022". BBC News. 2 March 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  23. ↑ "Government to get £2 from each Bradford pollution fine". BBC News. 29 July 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  24. ↑ Mitchinson, James, ed. (5 September 2022). "500 sign petition calling for brake on city's clean air zone". The Yorkshire Post. p. 9. ISSN   0963-1496.
  25. ↑ "Check if you need to pay". www.bradford.gov.uk. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  26. ↑ Young, Chris (16 April 2022). "Motorists can apply to council for exemptions to city clean air zone". The Yorkshire Post. p. 16. ISSN   0963-1496.
  27. ↑ "Bradford clean air zone generates almost £2m in three months". BBC News. 23 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.