Bristol’s Clean Air Zone is to start operating from next Monday 28 November, levying charges across older, polluting vehicles including cars and vans.  

The size of the zone and its boundary has been designed to meet air quality targets in the shortest possible time

Cameras will be switched on from midnight Sunday, policing the zone, which includes popular routes along Cumberland Basin and Portway and has distinctive signs warning drivers they are entering the CAZ. The size of the zone and its boundary has been designed to meet air quality targets in the central area where air quality is worst in the shortest possible time.

The zone is intended to encourage drivers and businesses to either update their vehicles, change their route, change their mode, or not make the trip.

The launch of the scheme follows pressure on Bristol City Council from the Government to take action. Analysis of the new Class D CAZ has indicated it would ensure compliance with legal limits sooner than a larger city scheme that included vans but excluded private cars.

As with all Clean Air Zones, the scheme is unlikely to impact company car drivers but may affect grey fleet drivers as well as van operators. Cars and vans will need to be Euro 6-compliant for diesels (generally vehicles registered from September 2015) or Euro 4 for petrol (generally vehicles registered from January 2006).

Only a third of vehicles using the zone are expected to be affected; drivers can check if their vehicle will be charged using the Government’s Clean Air Zone checker tool. Affected vehicles will face a charge of either £9 or £100.

The council has also launched a package of financial support to help residents and businesses adapt to the changes to tackle pollution in the city.

Drivers can register interest for financial support on the Bristol City Council website.

For more details of the scheme, click here.