Clean Air Zone
On 17 December 2015 the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) announced plans to create Clean Air Zones (CAZ’s) in in Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Derby and Southampton by 2020 to improve air quality in those cities.
Charges will be introduced in these air quality hotspots to discourage the most polluting vehicles, such as old buses, taxis, coaches and lorries. Newer vehicles that meet the emission standards will not have to pay the charge, and private car owners will not be affected. This is intended to reduce pollution in city centres and encourage the replacement of old, polluting vehicles with modern, cleaner vehicles.
Local authorities will carry out scoping studies, then consult on the details of the zones. They will only be able to set charges at levels designed to reduce pollution, not to raise additional revenue.
Other measures may include the introduction of park and ride schemes, signage, changes in road layouts and the provision of infrastructure for alternative fuels.
The then Environment Secretary, The Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP said, “We want to ensure people can continue to drive into city centres and by targeting action at the most polluting coaches, taxis, buses and lorries we will encourage the use of cleaner vehicles.”
On 13 October 2016, DEFRA launched a consultation seeking views on the implementation of Clean Air Zones in England and on the draft regulations, along with the associated impact assessment.
The consultation closes on 9 December 2016.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Air Quality Taskforce.
- Air quality.
- At a glance - Indoor air quality.
- BSRIA responds to UK Air Pollution Report.
- Construction dust.
- Environmental impact assessment.
- Greenhouse gas.
- Indoor air quality.
- Indoor environmental quality.
- Methane and other gasses from the ground.
- Ozone depleting substance.
- Radon.
- TSI Environmental dust monitoring system.
Featured articles and news
HSE simplified advice for installers of stone worktops
After company fined for repeatedly failing to protect workers.
Co-located with 10th year of UK Construction Week.
How orchards can influence planning and development.
Time for knapping, no time for napping
Decorative split stone square patterns in facades.
A practical guide to the use of flint in design and architecture.
Designing for neurodiversity: driving change for the better
Accessible inclusive design translated into reality.
RIBA detailed response to Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report
Briefing notes following its initial 4 September response.
Approved Document B: Fire Safety from March
Current and future changes with historical documentation.
A New Year, a new look for BSRIA
As phase 1 of the BSRIA Living Laboratory is completed.
A must-attend event for the architecture industry.
Caroline Gumble to step down as CIOB CEO in 2025
After transformative tenure take on a leadership role within the engineering sector.
RIDDOR and the provisional statistics for 2023 / 2024
Work related deaths; over 50 percent from construction and 50 percent recorded as fall from height.
Solar PV company fined for health and safety failure
Work at height not properly planned and failure to take suitable steps to prevent a fall.
The term value when assessing the viability of developments
Consultation on the compulsory purchase process, compensation reforms and potential removal of hope value.
Trees are part of the history of how places have developed.