Bristol is considering increasing the daily charges for entering its Clean Air Zone (CAZ) from £9 to as much as £14, following a slowdown in progress reducing pollution levels. Introduced nearly three years ago, the CAZ has significantly lowered nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution in the city centre, but recent data indicates that improvements have stalled, with some locations even experiencing a rise in NO2 levels.
The Clean Air Zone encompasses a broad area around Bristol’s city centre. Currently, drivers of high-pollution vehicles pay £9 per day to enter, with these funds reinvested into sustainable transport initiatives, including enhanced bus services. The initiative was launched in response to government concerns about harmful NO2 levels impacting public health.
On Thursday, November 6, Bristol City Council’s environment policy committee will discuss proposals to raise CAZ charges to £10, £12, or £14 per day. A report from the committee highlighted that rising inflation, changes in travel habits, and smaller NO2 reductions in 2024 compared to 2023 suggest the current fees may no longer sufficiently discourage polluting vehicles. Increasing charges aims to accelerate progress toward cleaner air and better public health.
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Preliminary modeling indicates that higher charges effectively reduce the number of non-compliant vehicles entering the zone, improving compliance rates as fees increase. Without a fee hike, council projections warn that NO2 levels could remain above legal limits in parts of the city centre until 2029. Prolonged exposure to NO2 is linked to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as premature death. Any increase in charges would follow a period of public consultation.
While the CAZ’s first year brought a dramatic decrease in NO2 pollution, the latest figures show a slowing trend. Between November 2022 and December 2023, NO2 levels dropped by 12.6% within the zone and 7.8% city-wide. The following year saw more modest falls of 5.1% inside the zone and 4.4% outside.
Certain areas, including Bond Street, Colston Avenue near Zed Alley, Old Market Roundabout, Rupert Street, and the lower section of Park Street, continue to record NO2 levels above the legal limit of 40 micrograms per cubic metre. Notably, Colston Avenue and Rupert Street experienced increased pollution levels last year, though still below pre-CAZ levels.
In addition to the proposed fee increases, Bristol plans to encourage a faster transition to cleaner buses by deploying electric vehicles. This year, 74 new electric buses were introduced, offering quieter, less polluting alternatives to older models, though many outdated buses remain on the streets.
To support residents in upgrading from non-compliant vehicles, the city will expand existing financial aid programs. Previously limited to drivers earning under £30,000 and working within the CAZ, the grant and loan schemes will now be available to all Bristol residents earning less than £35,000, regardless of where they work. Additionally, mobility credit programs promoting shifts from polluting cars to public transport and cycling will be extended.