Something in the air –
Birmingham is set to introduce a Clean Air Zone in January 2020 which will see drivers of private and commercial vehicles with older engines pay a fee to use city centre roads. Bosses with company fleets are being urged to think now about how they will op
aren’t even aware of it. We will do whatever we can to engage and support them through this change.
“The only way we can get to legally compliant levels of pollution is to go for a worst-case scenario which is to charge every type of vehicle other than motorbikes.
“But even that won’t get us to the compliant level the Government wants, which is why we have additional mitigation measures we want to introduce.
“We have asked the Government to support us with £36 million to introduce these measures and, if we don’t get that support, we will have to review this policy.
“Getting legally compliant is where we start, not where we finish – that’s a short-term aspiration but getting to safe levels of pollution is where we need to be.” “There is an acceptance among the business community this is a good thing.
“We recognise there are clear benefits to having cleaner air such as a healthier and more productive workforce and making the city a better place to be.
“But it won’t surprise anyone there are lots of concerns about this as well. It is under 400 days until this is implemented – are we ready for this?
“While accepting the time frame is going to happen, we have continued to challenge the implementation date to ensure the unintended consequences are as few as possible.
“What it’s going to cost is a big question for businesses and another issue is compliance.
“What happens if a company changes its whole fleet to be compliant with emissions standards and then in 12 months’ time the laws change?
“Are we going to put ourselves at a disadvantage when neighbouring cities like Coventry don’t have a Clean Air Zone?
“There is a lot more work to be done but everyone is keen that, when we start this in Birmingham, we do it in the best possible way so we can have the best of both worlds.
“We can get cleaner air without having a negative effect on our businesses.”
It is under 400 days until this is implemented – are we ready for this? Paul Faulkner
“Research by the British Vehicle