Bristol’s Clean Air proposal could see diesel cars banned

Following a public consultation, Bristol City Council is considering an ambitious ‘hybrid plan’ which will incorporate both a charging Clean Air Zone and a diesel ban.

The plan, being considered by the Council’s Cabinet today (5 November) is hoping to achieve Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) legal compliance by 2025.

The Clean Air Zone will charge non-compliant vehicles including buses, taxis, HGVs and LGVs but not private cars.

All diesel vehicles (except buses, taxis and emergency service vehicles) are due to be banned from an area in the city centre, regardless of their emissions output. The ban would operate for eight hours a day, between 7am and 3pm, seven days a week.

In order to implement the ban on diesel vehicles Bristol City Council will need government to issue new regulations to provide sufficient powers. This is expected to be signed off by government but not until the final plans are submitted and approved early next year.

If approved, the plans would come into effect in March 2021. Prior to putting the scheme in place, the council will consult with the public on the detail, such as Traffic Regulation and Charging Orders.

The BVRLA will continue to speak with the council as their plan progress, particularly about support to businesses and their planned scrappage scheme, highlighting how mobility credits could help the council to prevent adverse effects on lower socio-economic groups and small business.

Further details can be found on the Clean Air for Bristol website.