Market traders in Sheffield 'concerned' about potential impact of Clean Air Zone on businesses
It's set to come into force on the 27 February in Sheffield city centre
Market traders in Sheffield insist they're 'worried' about plans to introduce a clean air zone in the city centre later this month & the impact it'll have on local businesses.
Drivers of vans, taxis, buses, coaches & lorries-which don't meet Euro 6 Diesel or Euro 4 petrol emission standards-will be charged either ÂŁ10 or ÂŁ50 pounds to enter the area.
Private cars & motorbikes won't have to pay though.
Connor Cross owns a fruit stall at the Moor Market:
"It's certainly affecting my wholesalers because they come in every day in HGV vans.
"It's a ÂŁ50 charge for them to come in the clean air zone. That cost has got to go to someone, so it'll come back to me.
"Effectively, those costs will then be passed on to my customers, which isn't good for business at all.
"I'm not too concerned for myself, as I've recently got a new van.
"But people who are struggling in this market already with the cost-of-living crisis have now got to get a vehicle that's compliant with the new rules.
"It is what it is unfortunately, what other option do we have?"
Sheffield City Councillor Mazher Iqbal, who's Co-Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee, said: “We know there are a number of businesses who are concerned about the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and the challenges they may face as a result. Sheffield businesses are extremely important to us, and we know the CAZ may have a financial impact on some.
“The Council was legally directed by Government to implement a CAZ and has advocated for those affected for several years – pushing hard on Government to secure the best financial support package we could for those who need support. We empathise with those affected and acknowledge their concerns.
“The package we secured from Government includes financial support to upgrade or replace vehicles to meet the Class C charging zone restrictions and the opportunity to apply for an exemption, if eligible.
“The CAZ will only charge the most polluting heavy goods vehicles, light goods vehicles, vans, buses, coaches and taxis. Private cars, motorbikes and lower-polluting vehicles will not be charged. It is crucial that those who think they may be affected check whether their vehicle is compliant on the online vehicle checker. If it is, we urge them to get in contact and see if financial support is available to them to upgrade or replace their vehicle.”
-The Clean Air Zone is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and forms part of their national Clean Air Strategy to tackle air pollution, including roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations in the UK.
-Early indications for 2022 have shown we remain non-compliant. Forecasts for NO2 in 2023 show that Sheffield would continue to exceed the legal limits of No2 without introducing the CAZ.
-The Council has imposed a Clean Air Zone to achieve its aim of bringing Nitrogen Dioxide levels below legal limits in 2023.
-Implementing the zone within the city centre will tackle those problem areas. It will also impact the wider city - encouraging drivers, who drive not just in the city centre but across Sheffield, to retrofit or replace their polluting vehicles and improve air quality city wide.
-Across Sheffield, 1 in 20 deaths each year will be attributable to exposure to polluted air.
-More info about the Clean Air Zone can be found on our website: www.sheffield.gov.uk/cleanair
-Check if vehicles are compliant on the online vehicle checker: https://www.gov.uk/clean-air-zones