Is clean air zone just to make revenue?

The business case for the proposed clean air zone for Bath makes it clear that B&NES’ proposal of a class D zone represents a sledgehammer approach. The air quality modelling report lists NO2 [nitrogen dioxide] concentrations at multiple locations across Bath that exceed the Government target. The majority of these are predicted to become compliant by 2021 with no intervention due to normal engine technology improvements, vehicle upgrades, etc. B&NES claims that there is no alternative to a class D zone to achieve full compliance, but a glance at Appendix A of the report clearly reveals, somewhat surprisingly, that a class C zone (i.e. cars exempt) would, in practical terms, be equally effective in further reducing NO2 levels to acceptable levels since at every location the predicted difference between imposing class C or D is minimal. Irrespective of whether a class C or D zone is imposed, the modelling report also shows that three NO2 hotspots could remain uncomfortably close to the required target, namely Gay Street, London Street (west of Cleveland Place) and the junction of Chapel Row and Monmouth Street. Allowing for modelling uncertainty, these three locations could require additional traffic management measures to gain confidence that they would not breach the target in practice. I invite B&NES to challenge this analysis and explain why, other than for revenue generation purposes, it is necessary to impose a Draconian class D zone on the beleaguered beleaguered motorist. motorist. Chris Chris Beezley Beezley Claverton Down Bath