Launch date announced for Bristol Clean Air Zone
It comes after three previous delays
Bristol finally has a date for when the city's Clean Air Zone (CAZ) will come into force.
It will launch on Monday 28 November, meaning from then on, highly polluting cars, vans and lorries will be charged for driving into the city centre.
The CAZ was originally supposed to launch in October 2020 but was initially delayed until this September, before being delayed again.
Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees has called the final date announcement a "major milestone" on the journey to clean air.
"We have now agreed a launch date for the zone with government ministers and officials at the Joint Air Quality Unit," he said.
"On Monday 28 November Bristol will introduce one of the most far-reaching zones in the UK.
"Poor air quality has a major impact on the health of everyone in the city and the Clean Air Zone will help us tackle this issue and meet government targets for cleaner air in 2023."
According to the latest research 300 premature deaths in the city every year can be blamed on poor air quality.
That works out as six deaths every week.
When the zone is introduced, highly polluting private cars, plus taxis and vans, will be charged £9 a day to enter the zone.
Highly polluting buses, coaches and lorries will be charged £100 a day.
Roughly speaking, petrol vehicles will only be charged if they are more than 16 years old and diesel vehicles if they are more than seven years old.
You can check if your vehicle is exempt here.
“Most drivers on Bristol roads won’t need to pay the daily charge but if you do then you may be eligible for financial support to upgrade your vehicle," Mr Rees said.
The government has agreed to supply £42 million to help those that could be financially disadvantaged by the zone.
You can find out how to access that support here.
Mayor Rees added: “We’re making sure that the Clean Air Zone won’t have a detrimental impact on people on low incomes or businesses.
"With five months until the zone starts, there’s still time to get help from the council if you need to replace your vehicle.
“Contact us to find out how we can help you an interest free loan or even a grant which you don’t pay back.
"You don’t need to buy a new electric car to not pay the Clean Air Zone charge - it could be as simple as going to your local second-hand dealer and upgrading your 2003 car for a 2006 one."
To date the council says it has received more than 3,800 applications for financial support.
Officials claim they will be contacting eligible applicants from August.
There is an exemption available until July 2023 for those that are successful in applying for financial support and have yet to receive their new vehicle.
The council has also asked the government to extend other temporary exemptions available to residents in the zone, people who work within the zone, blue badge holders and patients attending hospital within the zone.
During negotiations with government, the council also secured £5.9 million of support for people to switch to active travel: including bike and e-bike trials, cycle training, VOI e-Scooter credit, bus tickets, and planning sessions with travel experts to help people explore all their options for their regular journeys.