Bath's Clean Air Plan 2021 - Bath and North East Somerset Council
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Tackling air pollution in Bath and North East Somerset
Bath’s Clean Air Plan 2021
Clean air matters. According to the Royal
College of Paediatrics and Child Health, air
pollution is believed to be a contributory
factor to some 40,000 premature deaths
in the UK every year. There’s also evidence
that it can cause lung damage in babies
and children, and contribute to lung and
heart disease in older people.
The Government has told 28 Councils in England
– including ourselves – that they have to achieve
compliance with Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) limits
‘in the shortest possible time’, and by 2021 at
the latest. This is part of its National Air Quality
Action Plan, and is based on scientific evidence. a different class of Clean Air Charging Zone
Levels above 40µg/m3 are seen as needing urgent (CAZ) to discourage high-polluting vehicles from
attention by the Government. driving in the centre, and a range of non-charging
measures to encourage greener modes of travel.
In Bath, NO2 pollution caused by vehicle emissions
exceeds the accepted limits at several hotspots in No decisions have been made at this time, and the
the city. feasibility of each package is now being assessed
with ongoing public engagement. A final package
We’ve therefore assessed and drawn on more
must be agreed by the end of December 2018.
than 60 suggestions from the public to shortlist
three packages of measures that can reduce
vehicle emissions and bring about the required
improvement by 2021. Each package includes
www.bathnes.gov.uk/breathe
BreATHe Tackling air pollution in Bath and North East Somerset
Summary of shortlisted options
The Council’s specialist The Council’s CAZ options: • Vehicles within the disabled
advisers have put forward passenger vehicle tax class
• Class B. Charges for higher-
three packages capable of emission buses, coaches, Please note that these dates
meeting the Government’s private hire, taxis and heavy are approximate. Cut-off dates
goods vehicles (HGVs) are based on the date that the
requirements. These will
vehicle model was registered,
now be assessed further, • Class C. Charges as per Class
rather than the specific individual
including the potential B, plus higher-emission light
vehicle registration date.
goods vehicles (LGVs)
impacts on residents, health We’ll be engaging the public
and the economy. • Class D. Charges as per Class
on issues such as including
C, plus higher-emission cars
motorbikes in a Class D CAZ,
This shortlist was drawn from The Council does not set and exempting emergency and
an assessment of more than the criteria. This is a national community transport vehicles
60 ideas to improve air quality, standard set by the Government, and blue badge holders. No
put forward by the public during based on scientific evidence and decisions on these matters will
a consultation on the city’s air published in its Clean Air Zone be made until assessments are
quality last year. Framework. complete.
Each package includes a different
What exemptions will apply? We aim to have a Clean Air Zone
class of Clean Air Zone for the
in place by 2020, to bring about
centre of Bath that will charge In line with the Government’s the required improvements by
drivers of higher-emission CAZ framework, the following 2021 at the latest.
vehicles entering the zone. Also vehicles are exempt from
included in each package will charges: How to check vehicle
be a range of non-charging
• Euro 4 + petrol vehicles (from compliance
measures to encourage greener
modes of travel. approx. 2006) You can check your engine
• Euro 6 diesel vehicles (from standard (i.e. Euro 4, 5, 6) using
No decisions have been made at
approx. 2015) an online vehicle checker such as
this time, but a decision on the
HPI, but we recommend that you
final package must be agreed by • Fully electric and hydrogen fuel contact your vehicle retailer or
December 2018. cell vehicles manufacturer to confirm.
Priorities Why this is important
Improving air quality • Air pollution has an adverse effect on health, particularly respiratory health
• We need to reduce levels of NO2 at hotspots in Bath, by 2021 at the latest
Introducing a CAZ • A Clean Air Charging Zone (CAZ) for central Bath is our only way of cutting
emissions and improving air quality by 2021
Engaging business • We’ll help organisations lessen the impact of a CAZ
• And support organisations to promote and encourage greener travel
Engaging residents • We’ll work with communities to encourage a shift to greener travel
Keeping you informed • A CAZ will affect everyone
• We’ll engage everyone during the decision-making process
• We’ll help you get ready for a CAZ with information and adviceBath and North East Somerset Council: Clean Air Plan
Proposed CAZ
What areas will be included charging measures designed to on parking options, travel times
in the Zone? encourage greener modes of and air quality
travel and lessen the impact of a • Targeted traffic management
At this stage our specialist
CAZ on residents and drivers. All improvements or improved bus
advisers are proposing a small
of these ideas will be thoroughly priority on the A367 Wells Road
zone in central Bath. It offers
assessed and discussed with
the greatest benefit in terms of • Making permanent the
local people. They might include:
reducing air pollution across temporary bus lane on London
the city by 2021, with the least • Reduced cost of residents’ Road.
impact on residents and the parking permits for low-
emission vehicles If a Class D CAZ is chosen as
economy (when compared with
the preferred option (which
a medium or large zone). • Improved public transport includes cars), then we’ll also
Assessments show that a small facilities, such as bus priority, look at introducing electric cycle
zone will reduce the number of better bus stops and more real- hire, priority parking areas for car
higher-emission vehicles coming time information for passengers sharing, and the expansion of the
into the city centre which, in turn, to increase reliability and use car club network, in addition to
will benefit air quality on nearby • Improvements to walking the measures above.
arterial roads. This includes and cycling routes and better
We’ll continue to look at other
London Road, which has some of provision for cycle parking
longer-term measures to improve
the highest concentrations of N02 • A review of taxi licensing policy, air quality in Bath, such as the
in the city. considering how low-emission A46/A36 link road.
vehicles can be encouraged
Other measures
• Improved use of variable
Alongside the charging element, message signs with information
each package will include non-Bath and North East Somerset Council: Clean Air Plan
Fully assessing
the shortlist Deliver agreed package
Government directive Choosing a preferred to improve air quality
to reduce NO2 pollution in Ongoing public package of measures in Bath by 2021
Bath by 2021 at the latest engagement End of September at the latest
2017 2018 2019
Bath Air Quality Action End of March End of December
Plan consultation Gathering data Working up the design
generating 60 ideas to on vehicle emissions and of the preferred package
reduce NO2 pollution fleet composition of measures
Bid for funding
Technical assessment
of the 60 ideas
Creating a short list
of the best packages
of measures Timeline for the Clean Air Plan
What is a Clean Air is used to run the scheme, improvements in the shortest
Charging Zone? and any extra may be used possible time and by 2021 at the
to support greener modes of latest (in line with Government
A Clean Air Charging Zone travel, depending on government requirements).
means drivers of high-emission decisions.
vehicles are charged when To achieve this, the Council is
entering a specific geographic committed to talking with and
What happens next? listening to the views of the
zone. It is not a congestion
charge. Rather, the aim is to We’ll be examining the feasibility public, key stakeholders and
reduce air pollution and improve of each package in more partners throughout the process,
health. Revenue from the zone detail. This includes ongoing ensuring the best outcome in any
public engagement; identifying scenario.
exemptions, the level of charges We’ll be holding regular drop-
The Government’s and hours of operation; and ins, workshops and events
role assessing the economic, social, throughout the year.
commercial and financial impacts
The Government has already of each option.
provided Councils with the
Find out more
funds to assess a range of We are required to reach a • Go to www.bathnes.gov.uk/
solutions, and more funds decision on our preferred breathe
will be available to implement package i.e. Clean Air Zone
B, C or D, along with a set of • Look out for our regular drop-
necessary measures. The ins and pop-up events
cost of this project will not fall non-charging measures, by
to local taxpayers. December 2018 at the latest. • Subscribe to our newsletter
The Government has also • Join the conversation on social
Public engagement media #BathBreathes2021
set a clear framework for
the work. Our assessments, We have to strike a balance with • Follow us on Twitter and
reports and decisions must a package that can deliver the Facebook
comply with guidance issued most benefit to people with the
by the Government’s Joint Air least impact on residents and twitter.com/bathnes
Quality Unit (JAQU). the economy. But it must also be
capable of delivering air quality www.facebook.com/
bathnes
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