Bath & North East Somerset Council has announced that Bath’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) will no longer provide exemptions for emergency vehicles, with the local Police, NHS and Fire Services paying to operate non-compliant vehicles.
Bath & North East Somerset Council has insisted that a limited number of vehicles will be affected, with only outdated vehicles susceptible to charges.
The existing exemptions will end 14 March with emergency service vehicles, including those used by voluntary support groups, now compelled to pay the same rates as private vehicles.
A 6 February 2025 Avon Fire Authority (AFA) report outlined that approximately 40% of its fleet is CAZ compliant with further acquisitions pushing this up to 48% by March 2026.
The AFA has committed to net zero carbon emission by 2030 but stated that due to electric and hydrogen vehicles representing a 100% increase in cost on internal combustion vehicles, uptake will be slow but measured.
Meanwhile, Avon and Somerset Police has reported just one non-compliant vehicle stationed in Bath with a planned replacement coming into operation ahead of the CAZ rule change.
Achievements and innovations in sustainable city development will be recognised and celebrated at the fourth annual CiTTi Awards on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector!
