Bradford Council has launched an exemptions programme to help local residents, businesses and organisations adjust to the district’s forthcoming clean air zone (CAZ).
The process to apply for an exemption is now open for residents and businesses with non-compliant vehicles and certain businesses based outside the district. Receipt of an exemption means that motorists will not have to pay to drive in the Bradford CAZ.
The Bradford CAZ is expected to launch this spring, however the UK government has yet to set an official start date. The council said this would be announced soon.
Upon launch, there will be a daily charge to drive into the zone for vehicles that do not meet required emissions standards. Passenger cars and motorbikes will not be charged to enter in the CAZ, while households in Bradford can apply for an exemption if they own a non-compliant commercial type vehicle for private use, such as a van or a lorry. Campervans, motorhomes and horseboxes are also exempt.
Bradford businesses with up to 250 employees, including SMEs, self-employed, sole-traders and registered organisations, are eligible for up to three vehicles being exempt, and there are also ‘sunset’ exemption periods for businesses with upgraded vehicles on order but that are not yet delivered.
Andrew Whittles, air quality director, Bradford Council, said: “The government is introducing Clean Air Zones all over the country. Compared to other places, the council has managed to secure a more extensive exemptions programme from government, which means that most local people will not have to pay.
“This is possible because around 85% of commercial vehicles that are expected to enter the CAZ will be from outside the district.”
A range of national exemptions will be automatically applied to the Bradford CAZ, meaning motorists will not have to pay a charge, if they have a vehicle that’s ultra-low emission; a disabled passenger tax class vehicle; a disabled tax class vehicle; a military vehicle; a historic vehicle; a vehicle retrofitted with technology accredited by the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme, or certain types of agricultural vehicles.
Exemptions are also available for education, charity and work of social value, as well as for specialist vehicles such as gritters, cranes and recovery trucks.
