Portsmouth Clean Air Zone may include vans and minibuses

Portsmouth’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) could now also include a charge for older vans and minibuses.

Earlier this year (March 2020), the government told Portsmouth City Council that they must introduce a Class B  Clean Air Zone (CAZ) by the end of 2021 at the latest, this would focus on certain buses, coaches, taxis and lorries.

However, following a lack of reduction to air pollution during the lockdown, the government has now said that the council must now consult on a Class C CAZ which would also include a charge for older vans and minibuses.

From Wednesday, members of the public will be asked to take part in an online survey on the proposed charges of £50 per day for buses, coaches and lorries, and £10 for taxis, vans and minibuses.

The council has already been allocated more than £6m to improve air quality and has said they are also bidding for additional funding to improve active travel, to install additional electric vehicle (EV) charge points and to improve the connectivity of cycle lanes.

Cllr Dave Ashmore, cabinet member for Environment and Climate Change, said: ‘It is important we do all we can do to improve air quality in Portsmouth, as polluted air impacts everyone’s health.

‘Improving cleaner travel options is essential to the future of our city. We must all take action to improve air quality.

‘The government-funded Clean Air Zone is not our preferred solution to the air pollution problem.

‘However, we are required to do this so we are making sure we do this in the best possible way by giving everybody the opportunity to have their say on how it will operate and those impacted can tell us their views on how funding support can be shared fairly.’

Photo Credit – Pixabay