Grants will help businesses in Portsmouth to retrofit vehicles ahead of the CAZ

Clean Air Fund grants will help businesses in and around Portsmouth to retrofit or upgrade their vehicles ahead of the new Clean Air Zone. 

In the new CAZ, which is due to launch in November 2021, the most polluting buses, coaches, taxis and private hire vehicles will be charged to enter the zone.

To help individuals and businesses to comply with the new rules, the council is offering funding from the £3.2m Clean Air Fund in order to help anyone who regularly travels within the CAZ, even if the business is based outside of Portsmouth.

Anyone wishing to apply for a grant can visit www.portsmouth.gov.uk/cleanairzone.

As part of the application process, people will need to show evidence of how regularly they enter the CAZ, how long they’ve been trading for and details of their non-compliant vehicle(s).

Portsmouth City Council has also appointed a dedicated team of engagement officers to help affected drivers and business owners with their applications.

Each officer has responsibility for a specific group of affected drivers. Individuals can email CAZHelpDesk@portsmouthcc.gov.uk to arrange a meeting with one of the officers.

Cllr Dave Ashmore, the cabinet member for community safety and environment, said: ‘It’s really important to make the air we breathe cleaner in Portsmouth, and we also recognise how important it is to support impacted businesses.

‘Although a Clean Air Zone isn’t our preferred approach to improve air quality, the government have told us that this must go ahead this year.

‘We’re pleased to offer drivers and business owners of vehicles that will be charged to travel in the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone the opportunity to apply for grants. This money will go towards upgrading or retrofitting older vehicles, so drivers and operators won’t be charged to drive through the CAZ. This will help make vehicles less polluting and improve air quality, not just in Portsmouth but also on the Isle of Wight. To find out more, contact a member of our friendly team for help applying for a grant.’

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