Silver lining
Pandemic negates the need for ULEZS
Two out of three proposed fee-demanding Clean Air Zones (CAZS) could be scrapped by councils as local pollution falls and concern grows over their economic impact, due to the pandemic.
Bristol City Council has confirmed that it’s considering alternative methods to impose a CAZ beyond charging private motorists and businesses who drive older, more polluting vehicles into the centre.
That news came a day after Leeds City Council confirmed that a review of its scheme will take place, because the government won’t fund its implementation if air quality in the city is within acceptable levels, as it currently is.
“Local air quality has been improving for some time,” said Leeds Council’s deputy leader, James Lewis. “Leeds residents now breathe air that is considerably cleaner and safer than just a few months ago.
“If the city’s air pollution is expected to stay below legal limits, then we will no longer have the support of the government to introduce a charging Clean Air Zone.”
Originally due to start on 28 September but now delayed until 2021, the Leeds CAZ would charge heavy goods vehicles, buses and coaches a £50 daily fee to enter city limits if they don’t meet Euro 6 emissions standards. Taxis and private hire vehicles would pay £12.50, but private cars, motorcycles and light goods vehicles would be exempt.
Bristol had proposed a similar scheme, and it went further last year with plans to introduce a ban on all privately owned diesels from entering a smaller part of the city.
Mayor Marvin Rees admitted changes in “travel patterns and lifestyles” during the pandemic, resulting in reduced pollution, have made it possible to look at non-fee-demanding ideas. Also under consideration are plans to accelerate changes to the road network, improve public transport links and pedestrianise further areas.
Only Birmingham “remains committed to launching a Clean Air Zone in 2021”, because the city’s air quality levels remain above the legal threshold.
The Leeds announcement is also raising questions over the impact of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which has been suspended during the pandemic. Before its suspension, every non-exempt car (pre-euro 4 emissions standards for petrols and preeuro 6 for diesels) entering the ULEZ was charged £12.50 per day. That rose to £100 per day for lorries, buses and coaches with more than eight passenger seats and larger vehicles. The scheme was in place 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and it’s due to expand to cover all of inner London in October 2021.
However, Conservative councillor in Waltham Forest and Stop ULEZ campaigner John Moss claims Transport for London’s (TFL) ULEZ policy will “make almost no difference to air quality, which is already good and improving” yet imposes significant financial strain on the most vulnerable members of society. This is particularly acute as the UK enters another recession.
Autocar approached TFL for comment about these concerns but is yet to receive a response.
The renewed uncertainty over the zoning scheme comes after the rollout of CAZS was first delayed in April, due to the pandemic and associated financial pressures. Back then, the Freight Transport Association said: “Logistics businesses simply don’t have the resources to dedicate to preparing for the imminent introduction of CAZS” during this time of hugely increased demand.
Despite shops and restaurants reopening, the demands on the delivery and logistics sector remain substantial. Even in July, when the nationwide lockdown was initially eased, there was a 55% increase in online sales over the same period in 2019, according to Adobe Analytics. The research firm also estimates that 2020’s online sales will surpass all of 2019’s by early October.
Last month, research by Arval found that more than 40% of businesses running fleets say they will be impacted by CAZS, with larger businesses indicating a greater effect. More than 75% of those affected say they will be forced to replace vehicles to meet the new standards.
The head of Arval Mobility Observatory, Shaun Sadlier, said: “Because the [CAZ] regulations are relatively straightforward, many fleets are already compliant. Over the next couple of years, just through the normal replacement of vehicles, most should meet the rules.”
❝ The government won’t provide funding for a CAZ if air quality in the city is within acceptable levels ❞