Videalert and Siemens win CAZ ANPR contracts for Bath and Leeds

Videalert and Siemens Mobility will install and operate ANPR cameras for the Bath and Leeds Clean Air Zones (CAZs), respectively.

ANPR cameras will identify and register every vehicle that enters the charging zone, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and the information will then interface with the UK government’s new national clean air zone database for vehicle checking and payment.

The systems will also provide detailed analytics and impact analysis highlighting the reduction in non-compliant vehicles entering the zone over time.

Tim Daniels, sales and marketing director at Videalert, said: ‘The award of this high profile contract confirms Videalert’s ability to handle the evolving requirements of clean air and low emission zones.

‘It also demonstrates how a single video data platform can support multiple applications, enabling councils to address the challenges of improving traffic congestion and air quality simultaneously.’

Cllr. James Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for resources and sustainability, said: ‘Having received government approval for the clean air charging zone last month the council is working hard to ensure the successful and timely introduction of the scheme.

‘Being able to identify and charge non-compliant vehicles driving within the zone’s boundary is essential to encouraging businesses to switch to less-polluting vehicles. We are pleased to be working with the industry experts, Siemens Mobility Limited, to deliver on this very important aspect of the clean air zone,’

Councillors backed a Class C CAZ for Bath on Tuesday (March 5), which will charge high polluting buses, coaches, HGVs, LGVs/vans, private hire vehicles and taxis, to enter the city centre from December 2020.

Leeds’ CAZ will cover over half of Leeds city centre, with HGVs, buses and coaches set to be charged £50 per day for travelling in the zone if they fail to meet the minimum emissions standards.

Taxis and private hire vehicles will be charged £12.50 per day, or a reduced rate of £50 per week if the vehicles are licensed in Leeds.

The scheme, which will not affect private cars, vans or motorcycles, will come into effect from Monday, January 6 2020.