Petition calls for ‘tax on the poor’ to stop

Bath’s proposed clean air zone will hit the poorest city residents hardest, according to a petition signed by around 1,800 people. In the document Michael Stiff, 42, says the proposal is “really just a tax on the poor and vulnerable dressed up as pollution concern”. Bath and North East Somerset Council outlined its plans to charge £9 for non-compliant cars, taxis and vans and £100 for buses, coaches and HGVS. Mr Stiff, who lives in Larkhall and runs Admiral Tree Services, said these fees will “really put pressure on those already struggling”. He added: “The council stands to raise at least £12 million per year, which is really what this is all about. “The rich, who can afford new or electric cars will not be charged,” he said in the petition titled Bath clean air zone scam. “The area is huge and virtually impossible to avoid without creating gridlock on rat runs and smaller residential roads. The traffic will be pushed out to already crippled roads, raising pollution around schools and residential areas. “It will also cripple businesses in the centre that already have to pay criminal amounts of business rates. “There are other ways to lower pollution, this is not the answer.” The councillor behind the project, Bob Goodman, has said grants could be available to help people with less means convert their vehicles to make them compliant. B&NES Council hit back against Mr Stiff’s claims, saying the intention of the clean air zone is to cut harmful gas emissions as quickly as possible. In August 2017, Bath was named among the 29 most polluted places in the country. The authority said: “The council has been told by the government to reduce harmful levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in Bath to within EU and national limits (40 ug/m3) ‘in the shortest possible time’ and by 2021 at the latest. “High levels of NO2 are widely recognised to be harmful to health – particularly the health of elderly people, children and those already in poor health. In areas of Bath, levels of NO2 can reach over 60 ug/m3 which warrants concern. “The proposed scheme is not designed to raise money and any revenue raised would first go towards a zone’s operating costs. “Any surplus revenue would have to be re-invested in projects that encourage cleaner transport and travel in and around Bath. It cannot be spent on anything else.” A consultation is ongoing and the public can have their say on the plans until November 25. “No decision has been made and we are encouraging everyone to have their say by taking part in a questionnaire and attending dropin events,” the council said. Details can be found at www. bathnes.gov.uk/breathe or at your local B&NES library.