The Clean Air Zone (CAZ)

The Clean Air Zone, implemented on the 29th of November 2022, was put in place to reduce air pollution in Bristol. The Bristol City Council, following in the footsteps of Bath, Bradford, and Portsmouth, are working towards reaching legal Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) levels by the end of 2023.

What is the clean air zone?

A Clean Air Zone (CAZ) is a specific location that aims to reduce public exposure to Nitrogen Dioxide. This is done by having restrictions on the highest polluting vehicles, encouraging the use of cleaner vehicles and to motivate people to walk, cycle or use public transport. Air Pollution effects everyone; especially children, the elderly and people with heart, breathing and underlying health conditions.

Vehicles that use diesel engines are a major source of air pollution, the aim is to cut down on these vehicles. The Clean Air Zone includes loans and grants to help people switch to a cleaner vehicle or less polluting forms of transport. There will also be changes to traffic signal timing to improve traffic flows and an increased priority for buses, such as bus lanes and priority for them at traffic lights.

Who will it effect?

Bristol City Council estimated that about 70% of vehicles will not be charged, with no vehicles being banned from entering the Clean Air Zone, but older and more polluting vehicles must pay a daily charge for travelling within the zone.

Bristol has a small Clean Air Zone which covers a central area of the city and part of the Portway. Charges start at £9 for private cars, taxis, and light good vehicles and £100 for heavy goods vehicles, buses, and coaches. Business owners can sign up to the Business Accounts Feature, to set up a Bristol-specific account to help manage payment for multiple vehicles entering and exiting the Zone.

The scheme has received a mixed response, with groups such as the Bristol Clean Air Alliance saying it should have been put in place a lot sooner, whilst some residents and businesses insist that The Clean Air Zone will have a “detrimental impact on their lives”.

Where do Priority Express stand with the Clean Air Zone?

Lucky for us working within Bristol’s clean air zone, our eSprinters will allow us to pass savings onto our customers and reduce pollution in the key areas of the city, providing budget friendly courier service. We also have a team of enthusiastic Ecargo Trike riders who are passionate about a sustainable future and enjoy the health benefits of being a priority express rider.

With plans for the near feature, we are looking to expand our convoy of electric vans and in 5 years we hope for a third of our deliveries to be fulfilled by zero emission vehicles. By choosing Priority Zero, we will all be moving towards a sustainable future. If you’re interested in our services, please get in touch for more information.

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