On February 8th, we were delighted to welcome over 150 businesses to a briefing session on Bristol’s new Clean Air Zone (CAZ) on which is due to come into effect in the late summer of 2022.
Business West, alongside Visit West, invited the business community to hear from James Morvan, who is leading Bristol City Council’s engagement on the CAZ project, who ran our attendees through the scheme and answered many questions, along with his colleague Rob Ash, on how the scheme will be implemented.
It was a fantastic session, for those who were not able to attend or if you wish to share with colleagues, you can view the recording and slides here – https://www.businesswest.co.uk/resources/webinar-bristols-clean-air-zone
We at Business West have been working for the last 3 years to ensure the measures put in place are ones that minimise damage to the business and employer community but enable clean air compliance.
For background, the Government has set legal limits for city centre pollution and Bristol City Council is required to introduce a CAZ to ensure the city meets those limits within the shortest possible time. Road traffic and in particular diesel engines are a major source of air pollution in cities. The CAZ means there will be restrictions on the type of vehicles that can freely operate within the Zone and extra charges for those that don’t comply with the new requirements. It is calculated that nearly three-quarters of vehicles (71%) already meet the zone’s emission standards and won’t be charged.
For those with vehicles that will be charged, Bristol City Council has secured £42 million from the government for grants and interest-free loans to reduce the cost of replacing vehicles. The money can be used to buy a new or second-hand vehicle that meets the zone’s emissions standards. A range of exemptions will also be available to give eligible businesses and individuals time to prepare for the zone.
We are encouraging all businesses that fall within the Zone or those who regularly travel into or through it, to start considering the implications of the new scheme now and not leave taking action late. Please do visit the Clean Air Zone website to find out more about the zone, check if your vehicle is compliant and you can register your interest for financial or other support.
If you have further questions regarding the new Clean Air Zone the impact it may have to your business, then please do get in touch with the team at CAZSupport@bristol.gov.uk