Additional grants for Bradford Clean Air Zone HGVs and coaches

The West Yorkshire City’s emissions and congestion reduction scheme went live in 2022, with more support now set for the heaviest polluting vehicles. 

Since the go-live date last September, Bradford Council’s grant programme has aimed funds at non-compliant taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), minibuses and coaches. Assistance to upgrade the largest types is now scheduled to expand, via a new Clean Air Heavy Duty Vehicle (HDV) Grant Programme with £1.1m of funding. 

The idea is to facilitate more small and medium sized businesses to bring their fleets up to date to meet the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) minimum standards for emissions. Those eligible can now apply for up to £16,000 of funding towards replacement models or retrofit work. This is limited to one vehicle per application, but multiple applications can be submitted by a single organisation. 

Those interested have been warned that cash is ‘extremely limited’ and therefore the system is being run on a first come, first served basis. We have seen in the past the huge problems caused by inadequately funded scrappage and upgrade schemes linked to CAZs, with Greater Manchester’s proposed low-emission area placed on hold partly as a result of a shortfall in available money to help firms and other road users become compliant. 

‘We are pleased to extend our support to Bradford businesses for the upgrade of their non-compliant vehicles by offering up to £16,000 per vehicle in grant funding for HGV’s or coaches. The funding will be allocated on a first come first served basis, so if your business has a vehicle you are considering upgrading take a look at the website and apply for a grant today,’ said Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places. 

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