Explainer: What are clean air zones, and do they work?
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London’s ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) expands on Tuesday.
Here, the PA news agency answers eight key questions about measures aimed at cutting air pollution.
– What are clean air zones (CAZs)?
Urban areas where a local authority has introduced measures aimed at boosting air quality.
– Where are they?
In England there are CAZs in Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Tyneside.
– Are there similar schemes elsewhere?
London has an ultra low emission zone (Ulez), Glasgow has a low emission zone and Oxford has a zero emission zone.
– How do CAZs operate?
Some have charges for vehicles that do not comply with minimum emissions standards, while others use measures for improving air quality such as retrofitting certain vehicles or rerouting traffic.
– What cars comply with the standards?
Generally petrol models registered from 2006 and diesel models registered from September 2015.
– What are some examples of charges?
In London, non-compliant cars are charged £12.50 a day, while in Birmingham the daily charge is £8.
– Do the schemes work?
A report published by the Mayor of London in February claimed the previous expansion of the Ulez – to the North and South Circular Roads in October 2021 – had a “significant impact” in reducing the number of older, more polluting vehicles used in that area and cutting “harmful air pollution”.
It stated that since 2019, emissions of nitrogen oxides from road traffic in London are estimated to be 23% lower than they would have been with the Ulez.
Independent studies have also found a drop in levels of nitrogen dioxide in the Ulez area since its introduction though differ in saying by how much emissions fell – between 6% and 19%.
– How much money do they make?
RAC analysis of TfL figures found the expansion of London’s Ulez generated an estimated £93.6 million of additional revenue from drivers in the first eight months.
TfL said the Ulez is “not about making money, but about improving the health and wellbeing of millions of Londoners”.
It added that all money received is “reinvested into walking, cycling and public transport”.
