New data shows air quality is improving both in Bath city centre and outside the clean air zone (CAZ) following the introduction of the scheme in March.
A report to be considered by Bath and North East Somerset Council’s cabinet on Thursday 09 September reveals that nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels have dropped by more than 12% compared with the same quarter in 2019, but have the potential to exceed government limits at four locations within the zone.
The report, the first in a series that will regularly monitor the performance of the CAZ, reveals that the number of chargeable non-compliant vehicles entering the zone since its launch has dropped with the percentage of compliant vehicles in the chargeable categories, (taxis, vans LGVs, buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles HGVs) increasing by an average of 49% over the same period.
All but three of the 220 buses that operate on scheduled routes in the zone and more than 90% of HGVs and 90% of taxis travelling into the zone are now compliant with emission standards.
The report also confirms that more than 1,000 non-compliant vehicles have so far been approved for the council’s financial assistance scheme, in addition to businesses and individuals upgrading vehicles using their own resources.
Councillor Sarah Warren, Deputy Leader and cabinet member for climate and sustainable travel, Bath and North East Somerset Council, said: “This is very encouraging news. The aim of the CAZ is to improve air quality and reduce pollution that can have a devastating impact on people’s health, triggering asthma attacks and making heart and lung conditions worse. So, I’m pleased that the early indications are that the CAZ is working.
“It is, however, early days and more time is needed. Normal traffic volumes in the city have been affected by Covid and the closure of Cleveland Bridge has caused some temporary changes to traffic patterns. I am also concerned that despite significant progress in reducing NO2 levels, there are still four locations in the city where NO2 levels have the potential to exceed the government target we are aiming for.
“We will therefore continue to closely monitor the impact of the CAZ and our progress in quarterly reports.”
Bath’s CAZ was launched on 15 March 2021 to tackle potentially harmful levels of air pollution caused by the most polluting taxis, vans, buses and larger commercial vehicles regularly driving in the city.
It was the first charging CAZ to be launched outside London and works to reduce pollution in Bath by levying a £9 or £100 a day charge on anyone driving a chargeable higher-emission vehicle in the zone. This excludes private cars and motorcycles.
Grants and interest-free finance are available to encourage owners of non-compliant polluting vehicles to replace them with cleaner, compliant ones, not subject to charges.
