‘Clean air zones are almost inevitable’

CLEAN air zones which would ban highly polluting vehicles from certain areas are “almost inevitable” in Cardiff, councillors have said.

Low Emission Zones are among the measures being seriously considered by Cardiff council as it looks at ways to clean up the city’s air.

The zones would ban vehicles such as HGVs and older buses which fall below modern emission standards from highly polluted areas of the city such as Westgate Street.

Cardiff council is also being asked to consider introducing more 20mph zones, an Oyster Card-style single ticketing system for public transport and a “workplace parking levy” - which would charge employers offering parking - under recommendations by the Environmental Scrutiny Committee. But the council’s cabinet has been urged to treat introducing a congestion charge - which would place a levy on all vehicles entering a certain area - as a last resort.

Councillor Ramesh Patel, chair of the scrutiny committee, told cabinet yesterday: “Clean air is essential and has a direct impact on our health. It’s going to be one of the biggest issues for our city.

“Over 90,000 commuters are coming into Cardiff every day. A congestion charge should be one of the last things you look at, not the first. If they find it easy to park in Cardiff, they will continue to come into Cardiff.”

Councillor Patel also said bus companies have expressed concerns that taxis are often blocking bus lanes in Cardiff.

“Congestion charges are very much different to a clean air zone,” he said after the meeting. “That should be the last option.”

Councillor Patel was presenting the scrutiny committee’s task and finish report considering air quality in the Welsh Capital to the cabinet - which will respond to the findings at a later date.

Recommendations made by the Environmental Scrutiny Committee include:

■ More 20mph areas.

■ Improving cycling and walking infrastructure/Nextbikes/active travel and park and ride.

■ Gradual increase in parking charges and monitoring city centre car park development.

■ Setting out emission standards for taxis and how they can be achieved.

■ Enforcement against taxis that are blocking bus lanes.

■ Reduction of bus emissions by lobbying for financial support to upgrade or change Cardiff’s fleet.

■ Development and promotion of park and ride schemes and bus lanes.

■ Single ticketing scheme for public transport in the South East Wales region.