Bradford Clean Air Zone to launch in September

The Bradford Clean Air Zone (CAZ) will go live on 26 September 2022 to help the city achieve compliance with legal limits for air quality.

Bradford Council has been directed to implement a CAZ by government, which concluded that a charging CAZ is the only way that the district can comply with air quality limits in the shortest possible timeframe.

The latest monitoring data for Bradford shows that the legal limit for nitrogen dioxide is being breached at several locations across the district.

The Bradford CAZ will be a class C + Clean Air Zone, which means commercial vehicles entering the zone will face a daily charge if they do not meet the required emission standards.

Passenger cars and motorbikes will not be charged for entering the Bradford CAZ but HGVs, coaches, buses, LGV, minibuses, hackney carriage and private hire vehicles are liable for the charge if they are not compliant with the CAZ vehicle standard.

Andrew Whittles, Air Quality Director, Bradford Council said: ‘1 in 5 of our children have a breathing problem. The Government’s framework of air quality monitoring, evaluation and modelling studies has identified a charging Clean Air Zone as the most effective method of reducing nitrogen dioxide and improving air quality in our District, as quickly as possible.  And that is what Bradford has been directed to do.

‘Road transport emissions are a significant source of poor air quality and health in Bradford and research shows that the largest health benefits of the Clean Air Zone will be felt by the most disadvantaged communities in the city.

‘Every ward in Bradford will benefit from cleaner air. The number of non-compliant vans, lorries, taxis and buses will fall. As a result, air quality will improve across the district, both inside and outside the Clean Air Zone boundary.’

The Bradford CAZ will cover the area inside, and including, the Bradford outer ring road (A6177). It will also extend out along the Aire Valley corridor to include Shipley and Saltaire.

Any revenue from the introduction of the CAZ will be reinvested in further programmes in the district to reduce harmful emissions. This will include support for zero emission buses, further help for residents and businesses to upgrade their vehicles, the development of hydrogen in the district and support for schools to reduce emissions in their areas.

Bradford residents can apply for an exemption if they own a non-complaint commercial type of vehicle for private use, such as a van, campervan, motorhome, or horsebox.

Bradford businesses are eligible for up to three exempt vehicles, including self-employed and sole traders.

In related news, Bradford Council joined us at the Northern Air Quality Conference 2022 to discuss their Clean Air Zone plans and give advice to other local authorities who are considering clean air measures. 

Photo by Musa Haef