Some cities with air quality levels above legal limits have been directed to charge vehicles to drive in certain areas. We don’t want to do this unless we have to, as we know some people rely on their vehicles and charging would heavily impact families on low income.
The council’s preferred approach to improving air quality is one that doesn’t charge or ban certain vehicles, but instead maintains the new ways we have been travelling since lockdown that has made Bristol’s air much cleaner.
Covid-19 has changed the way we live and travel. Fewer cars on our roads has made the air we breathe much better and we have accelerated changes to through traffic, cycle lanes and improvements to buses to help. Further
improvements to roads around the city are also being planned to make it easier to walk, cycle or use public transport. If we build on these changes, we could achieve clean air in the city without having to put a charging
zone in place, but we’ll need to keep up the cleaner ways we are travelling.
However, if air pollution rises again, we would need to put in place a vehicle charging zone to reduce it.
We must legally consult on the two new charging zone options, before we know if these additional options are needed.
To find out more and complete the online survey go to:
https://bristol.citizenspace.com/growth-regeneration/caz2020/
Consultation now closes 3 December 2020 (extended from initial date 22 November 2020).
If you would like a paper copy or the information in an alternative format please email
transport.engagement@bristol.gov.uk or call 07775 115 909 and leave a message on the answerphone.
