Councils hit out at delays to Clean Air Zones

Leeds City and Birmingham City Councils have warned the introduction of the UK’s first Clean Air Zones will be postponed due to a Government delay in delivering digital systems to make the zones enforceable.

Both councils said they had been on track to implement Clean Air Zones on the basis that a vehicle checker tool, which is being delivered by the Government’s Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU), would be ready by October 2019.

However, the councils said JAQU has confirmed the vehicle checker will not be available until at least December 2019 – leaving just weeks before the zones were due to come into force in January 2020.

The councils added that the Government is now expecting local authorities to deliver a system for collecting payments from non-compliant vehicles which enter the Clean Air Zone – having previously said it would be responsible for this.

The original plans for Clean Air Zones in Leeds and Birmingham came after the Government identified parts of each city would probably fail legal air quality levels by 2020.

Air pollution has been identified by Public Health England as the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK.

Councillor James Lewis, Deputy Leader for Leeds City Council, said: “It is extremely disappointing that Leeds has been forced to delay the introduction of one of the UK’s first Clean Air Zones because of the Government’s failure to meet its commitments to the two largest local authorities.

“Leeds City Council has worked incredibly hard to make sure the Clean Air Zone would be delivered on time, successfully meeting a number of deadlines set by Government.

“Many businesses have similarly invested both time and money into ensuring their own preparedness for January.

“Like most residents in Leeds, the council believes tackling air pollution to protect the health of everyone in our city is an important priority.

“Therefore we will continue to do everything possible to mitigate this delay to the best of our own ability and by continuing to work closely with the Government.

“We will continue to financially support owners of affected vehicles switching to less polluting models that will not be charged, as doing so is the best way to improve air quality prior to the zone’s introduction.

“As planned, we will begin to install the camera infrastructure required for the zone within the next few weeks.

“The Government now needs to outline new timescales that they are confident can be delivered to give residents and businesses clarity and certainty about the future of these schemes.”

Beckie Hart, CBI Yorkshire & Humber Director, said: “Businesses need certainty about the future of clean air zones, and this delay will cause confusion for those preparing for new rules.

“It is clearly disappointing that the move to cleaner air is being delayed by issues with technology, and we call for clarity on when the clean air zones will be operational.”

Councillor Waseem Zaffar, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Birmingham City Council, said: “The council has been fully on track to implement the Clean Air Zone from January 2020 on the basis of assurances from the Government that the vehicle checker would be in place by October this year.

“However, the delivery of this essential online tool has been delayed to December 2019.

“This means we are unable to go ahead with our Clean Air Zone in January as planned, as it would be completely unfair on residents, businesses and visitors who would only have a matter of weeks, if not days, to make choices about their travel behaviour or upgrade their vehicles. This is unacceptable.

“Despite these challenges, we will continue to work closely with the Government and other cities to achieve compliance in the shortest possible time. Our priority remains ensuring the people of Birmingham have access to clean air, as is their basic human right.”

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close