Portsmouth council is hosting a free air quality event

Portsmouth City Council is hosting a free event on Friday (November 26) to showcase the work that is being done to improve air quality across the city.

The Air Quality Improvement Showcase is a drop-in event and will take place from 9 am until 6 pm. 

Representatives from the air quality improvement team at the council, as well as representatives from clean air initiatives across the city will be on hand to speak to people about how we can all play our part to improve air quality in the city. 

Children will also be able to take part in a colouring competition and will be given the chance to share what cleaner air means to them and their future, with prizes to be won. 

Cllr Dave Ashmore, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Environment, said: ‘This is a chance to learn about the ways we can all make a difference to air quality in the city, as well as ask any questions you may have about the clean air zone. We can all do our bit to reduce air pollution, and the CAZ is just part of that.

‘The CAZ comes into effect on Monday November 29, and we’ve worked extensively with local businesses and transport providers to make sure they are ready for the change.

‘That could mean using government funding to either upgrade and replace their vehicles, or to fund alternative ways to travel through the zone, such as e-cargo bikes. However, we know that people may have questions, and we want to have the chance to address any concerns that still remain.’

Under the upcoming CAZ, non-compliant buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles and heavy goods vehicles that do not meet euro 6 standards if diesel, or euro 4 standard if petrol will be charged.

Drivers of private vans, cars and motorcycles will not be charged, no matter how old the vehicle is.

More information is available on the Facebook event page.