Three-month countdown to Bristol’s Clean Air Zone

Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees reminds residents and businesses that there’s still time to apply for financial support if they need to replace vehicles.

Bristol’s Clean Air Zone will start operating on Monday 28 November. No vehicles are banned but older and more polluting vehicles will be charged to enter the zone which is in a central area of the city.

Mayor Marvin Rees is encouraging people with vehicles that will be charged to apply for financial support from the council: “There are just three months to go before the zone starts operating but there is still time to get help from the council if your vehicle will be charged. I would urge anyone affected to get in touch with our team today to find out how we can support you.”

Businesses are already preparing for the zone by upgrading their fleets and replacing them with cleaner vehicles. It is estimated that almost three-quarters of Bristol’s drivers will not be charged to enter the zone and this number is expected to increase as residents and businesses access support from the council to change vehicles.

Mayor Rees added: “We’ve sought to introduce Bristol’s Clean Air Zone in a way that reduces harmful pollution and protects the most deprived households in our city as well as our trades and businesses. That is why we have secured over £42 million to support the switch to cleaner vehicles, alongside wider support with the national cost of living crisis. I’m pleased to announce that the government have agreed to our request to extend the temporary exemption period until the end of March 2023. This will allow more time for Bristol residents and businesses to prepare for the zone’s introduction.”

Financial support is available to those on low incomes and Bristol-based businesses to help those that need to replace vehicles that don’t meet the zone’s emission standards. The council’s website has more information about the zone and how to access financial support.

The council are also offering temporary exemptions to give people more time to replace their vehicle and have agreed with government an extension to the exemption period. Applications for these temporary exemptions will open in late September and will be available for:

• residents in the zone
• people working within the zone and earning less than £27,000 a year
• Blue Badge holders
• patients attending hospitals in the zone

As well as supporting people to transition to cleaner vehicles, the council has also secured £5.9 million of support for people to switch to more sustainable modes of travel. The free active travel offers include bike and e-bike trials, cycle training, VOI e-Scooter credit, bus tickets, and planning sessions with travel experts to help people explore all their options for their regular journeys.

Mayor Rees said: “We are committed to reducing air pollution and making Bristol a healthier place for everyone, this includes increasing the use of sustainable transport in our city. Our free travel offers are a great opportunity for people in Bristol to try out new ways of travelling that are better for their health, wellbeing, and the environment too. Anyone who lives or works in Bristol is eligible to receive these offers and can apply on our website now.”