Clean Air Zones Spreading Across the UK

A toll for entering city centres in high emission vehicles could soon be put in place across a number of the UK's biggest cities.

Already a feature in London since 2008, clean air zones are being rolled out in other areas following a Supreme Court Judgement in 2015 which ordered the government to take action. After the ruling, five cities were called on to establish a CAZ; Derby, Nottingham, Southampton, Leeds, and Birmingham.

Leeds and Birmingham are set to lead the way, establishing their CAZs next year, but many other towns and cities are also considering improving their air quality through a penalty system. For example, Newcastle is currently consulting the public on designating the Tyne Bridge as a CAZ.

Once an area has been designated as a CAZ, vehicle types of the council's choosing can be charged up to £100 to drive through. In some cases, however, a CAZ will exist with the promise of action to improve air quality before fines are implemented.

The Supreme Court Judgement followed a case brought forward by ClientEarth, an environmental law organisation. The group questioned the government's commitment to tackling pollution in light of the high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) found in our air, an amount which is in breach of the EU limits and has already led to the threat of legal action from the European Commission.

James Thornton, CEO of ClientEarth, said “Road transport is still the main source of illegal air pollution in our towns and cities. We need a national network of Clean Air Zones to take the most polluting vehicles out of the most polluted areas.

“We also want the government to commit to a new Clean Air Act fit for the 21st Century. Ministers should enshrine people’s right to breathe clean air in UK law and drive greater ambition to protect their health.”

Since 2010, the EU's annual limit for NO2 has been 40 micrograms per cubic metre of air. In 2017, 37 out of 43 areas in the UK exceeded this limit, despite the amount of NO2 in the air falling from 2016's figure.

Drivers may not be happy with the idea of paying to travel into city centres, but the health benefits of clean air for residents and visitors are worth changing our approach to these key roads. The World Health Organization asserts that access to cleaner air reduces the risks of conditions such as heart disease, strokes, asthma and lung cancer amongst others.

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