Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council have published final draft proposals for the UK’s first city-centre Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ), to be introduced later this year.
The proposed Red Zone is designed to mark the next step towards cleaner air in Oxford, and a reduction in the health risks for people living and working in the city.
Both councils expect that the ZEZ will improve air pollution levels in towns and villages across Oxfordshire because the buses, taxis and other vehicles that serve Oxford also serve towns and villages across the county.
In addition, a Green Zone is proposed for introduction in 2021/22, covering the rest of the city centre.
This would be accessed for free by zero-emission vehicles and with discounted charges for vehicles that comply with the London Ultra Low Emission Zone standards.
Buses and Oxford-licensed Hackney Carriages that drive within the planned ZEZ have already agreed timelines for zero-emissions fleets across Oxford, and will not be subject to charges.
The key points of the latest proposals are:
– The introduction of a charging scheme in the Red Zone between 7am-7pm, with a £10 charge for non-compliant vehicles entering the zone.
– Discounts for all blue badge holders entering the zone until December 2024.
– Exemptions for businesses registered in the Red Zone until December 2024, followed by a discount until December 2030.
– A 90% discount for residents living in the zone until December 2030.
Councillor Tom Hayes, cabinet member for Zero Carbon Oxford, Oxford City Council, said: “With our strengthened Zero Emission Zone and the introduction of hundreds of supporting charging points, our medieval city is leading the electric vehicle revolution.
“Our two councils have taken a fresh look at the big idea of charging commuters to drive polluting vehicles in and out of the city centre.
“And we’re listening to Oxford’s Citizens’ Assembly on Climate Change by speeding up our journey to a city-wide Zero Emission Zone.”
Both councils have now launched an informal consultation on a draft final scheme for the Red Zone, including the proposed charging and enforcement arrangements, which could begin in December 2020.
The informal consultation on the Red Zone is open until Friday 31 January. This will then go to formal consultation in March, and the draft charging order published, with both councils making a formal decision on implementation in the spring.
