Majority of Stoke-on-Trent drivers not affected by new 'clean air zone'
The city is taking new steps to reduce air pollution in busy areas.
Last updated 20th Sep 2021
Privately owned vehicles will not be charged for driving around Stoke-on-Trent, the city council have revealed.
Instead, plans to charge owners of commercial vehicles are being considered to help the city meet legal air pollution requirements.
The news comes after the council announced a new step towards implementing Clean Air Zone (CAZ) measures.
City council member for the environment Carl Edwards said the new CAZ system will affect "commercial vehicles, buses, trucks, vans and taxis", but "it doesn't apply to private motor vehicles."
A Government report revealed on Friday that plans for a Clean Air Zone have been stepped up by the council in a bid to tackle poor air quality levels on Victoria Road in Fenton, among other areas.
The council is planning on introducing CAZ 'C' regulations, which look at the possibility of daily charges for commercial and goods vehicles that give off higher emissions.
The report also says that any vehicle which meets emission standards will be immune from charges and restrictions.
Charges will also only be applied to commercial vehicles and vans that were manufactured a number of years ago (before September 2015 for diesel vans or before 2006 for petrol vans).
Cllr Abi Brown, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council said: “Serious reservations had been raised about the former bus gate proposal for Victoria Road, around the impact on residents and businesses so I am pleased that a CAZ C solution has been shown to be technically viable.
It would deliver the required improvements in air quality so I am pleased that Government have agreed that we can pursue this as an option for consideration."