Clean Air Zones and air quality schemes member briefing note
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Clean Air Zones and air quality schemes
member briefing note
July 2019
Summary of FTA View
▪ The start date for Clean Air Zones should be left as late as possible to enable industry to adapt, FTA
is advising October 2020 to coincide with the tightening of the London-wide LEZ for HGVs and
Direct Vision Standard (DVS) start date.
▪ Clean Air Zones should be kept as small as possible, expanding beyond the city centre will bring in a
large number of businesses into scope.
▪ The daily charge for HGVs should be set to £50, which is consistent with Leeds, Birmingham and
Sheffield.
▪ Authorities charged with setting up CAZs, should work together on a single nationwide system for
registering and charging of non-compliant vehicles entering the different zones.
▪ Vehicles accessing key facilities such as ATFs and testing centres should be provided with an
exempt route.
▪ Authorities need to consider better traffic management.
▪ Vans should not be included unless essential.
▪ More support is required for future alternative fuel options.
Please note
Many of the details about CAZs put forward in this briefing note are unconfirmed: which cities, which vehicle
types in those cities, what exact geographies. Therefore, much of the detail contained within this briefing note
are FTA’s best estimate of the end situation commercial vehicle operators will face and not a confirmed state
of affairs.
Except for Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle and Zero Emission Zones, the requirement will be Euro VI/6 for diesel –
i.e. these will be compliant and have nothing to pay. Non-Euro VI/6 vehicles will probably have to pay around
£100 (HGVs) or £12.50 (vans) per day to enter Zones from start date – but this may be lower in some places.
Defra Framework
There are four classes of charging schemes outlined in the Defra Clean Air Zone Framework which apply to
charging Clean Air Zones in England:
Class A - Buses, coaches, taxis and PHVs
Class B - Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs and HGVs
Class C - Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs and vans
Class D - Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs, vans and cars
Freight Transport Association 1
ENGLAND
London ULEZ/LEZ (in operation now for central London, confirmed for expansion/tightening up)
8 April 2019 Congestion charge zone Introduction of ULEZ requiring:
Euro VI/6 for all diesel-engined HGVs, buses,
coaches, vans and cars.
Euro 4 for all petrol-engined vans and cars.
Euro 3 for motorbikes.
26 October 2020 Greater London Low Tightening up of London-wide LEZ to Euro VI
Emission Zone for all HGVs, buses and coaches.
25 October 2021 Inner London between, but Expansion of ULEZ requiring:
not including the north and Euro VI/6 for all diesel-engined HGVs, buses,
south Circulars. coaches, vans and cars.
Euro 4 for all petrol-engined vans and cars.
Euro 3 for motorbikes.
Website: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone
FTA local policy lead: Denise Beedell (dbeedell@fta.co.uk)
Leeds (confirmed)
When: Originally expected in January 2020, but along with Birmingham, the City Council has announced that
the scheme will be ‘significantly postponed’ due to a Government delay in delivering digital systems required to
make the zones operational and enforceable.
Where: most of city council area (not south Leeds)
Which vehicles: Class B - Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs and HGVs
Defra has approved Leeds City Council’s plans to introduce a charging Clean Air Zone. The zone will cover
more than half of Leeds and will enforce a Class B charging system (buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles
and HGVs). The daily fee for non-compliant HGVs will be £50, enforced through a 24/7 network of purpose-
built automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, operating 365 days a year.
Freight Transport Association 2
The council is also offering a ‘sunset period’ (temporary exemption) for some vehicles and full exemption in a
few specific cases. Businesses who have placed ordered for Euro VI before 31 July 2019, will be able to continue
to operate their Euro V HGV if they can prove their order has been delayed. This derogation will apply up to 31
December 2020. Leeds City Council also has £23 million worth of financial support to help owners,
leaseholders and operators of non-compliant heavy goods vehicles, non-scheduled buses and coaches. Up to
£16,000 in grant funding can be applied to:
▪ purchase a Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS) accredited retrofit solution from a
recognised supplier
▪ pay lease agreement exit fees to replace a non-compliant vehicle with a compliant one
▪ be used towards the cost of purchasing a new or second-hand compliant vehicle
Applications for operators of heavy goods vehicles closed on 15 April, but FTA will advise members if any
further funding packages become available.
Details about the scheme, including further information on exempt vehicles, applications for grant funding and
an interactive map detailing the zone’s boundary can be found on the Leeds City Council website.
FTA local policy lead: Mags Simpson (msimpson@fta.co.uk)
Birmingham (confirmed)
When: Originally expected in January 2020, but along with Leeds, the City Council has announced that the
scheme will be ‘significantly postponed’ due to a Government delay in delivering digital systems required to
make the zones operational and enforceable.
Where: within the A4540 Middleway ring road (but not the Middleway itself)
Which vehicles: Class D - Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs vans and cars
Birmingham City Council’s CAZ plans have received Government approval and include the ‘good faith’
provisions campaigned for by FTA. The Council submitted its full business case in February for a Class D
charging system (includes cars, buses, vans and HGVs) and a package of additional measures has now been
approved. These include one-year exemptions for commercial vehicles, such as coaches, vans and lorries
registered within the zone and one-year exemptions for coaches, vans and lorries registered in the Birmingham
Freight Transport Association 3
area that travel into the zone and have an existing finance agreement beyond 2020. Both exemptions only
apply for two vehicles per business.
FTA previously wrote to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) urging it to support
this good faith clause. We are now working to establish the extent of the ‘Birmingham area’ that is referred to,
but this is still an important flexibility for those based on the outskirts of the city. The two-vehicle limit is tight
but constitutes a reasonable allowance expected to be acceptable to Defra. Read more in the Birmingham City
Council press release.
The daily charges for non-compliant vehicles will be set at £8 per day for private cars, taxis (both Hackney
carriages and private hire) and vans, while HGVs, coaches and buses will be charged £50 per day.
The Council has launched a Business Breathes website which provides information and guidance for
businesses using vehicles in the city, and whose business may be affected by the implementation of the CAZ. It
features information on low-emission vehicles, recharging and refuelling, and grants that will be available for
businesses to upgrade or retrofit their vehicle to be compliant in preparation for the clean air zone being
implemented in January 2020. It also includes a postcode checker to show if a business is within the clean air
zone and a calculator to show the potential savings that can be made by using alternative fuels compared with
non-compliant petrol or diesel.
Website: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/caz
Contact: cleanair@birmingham.gov.uk
FTA local policy lead: Chris Yarsley (cyarsley@fta.co.uk)
Nottingham (confirmed)
The Government has approved Nottingham’s Air Quality plan which no longer includes proposals for a charging
Clean Air Zone. Nottingham’s plan will see the council improving air quality by:
▪ Retrofitting 171 buses with technology to reduce emissions, funded through the Government’s Clean
Bus Technology Fund
▪ Changing the age and emissions policy for hackney carriages and supporting an increase in low
emission taxis. £1m from government will be used to provide a licensing discount for drivers, a taxi rank
with charging points, fund home chargers and expand the council’s ‘try before you buy’ scheme
▪ In addition, Nottingham City Council has received funding from the Government to support the
conversion of its own fleet, including replacing heavy, high polluting vehicles such as bin lorries with
electric vehicles
FTA local policy lead: Chris Yarsley (cyarsley@fta.co.uk)
Derby (confirmed)
Derby has received confirmation that the policy option backed by FTA that rejects the imposition of a CAZ has
been agreed by central government. Derby will undertake a series of traffic management measures in specific
areas of the city that should achieve compliance with air quality levels. The approved works include traffic
management at signal junctions and ITS wider network management – including junction alterations at
Stafford Street/Uttoxeter New Road Roundabout and Ashbourne Road/Uttoxeter Old Road. They are required
to be implemented as soon as possible and at least in time to bring forward compliance to 2020.
Contact: air.quality@derby.gov.uk
FTA local policy lead: Chris Yarsley (cyarsley@fta.co.uk)
Freight Transport Association 4
Southampton
Southampton City Council has rejected their initially proposed Category B charging zone in favour of a non-
charging zone. Following their public consultation, it was established that levels of nitrogen dioxide in
Southampton will be compliant by 2020, a charging scheme could not be introduced any earlier than January
2020 and will not deliver compliance any sooner.
Therefore, their preferred option is to now introduce a package of non-charging measures in 2019:
▪ Offering opportunities for businesses to assess and trial freight consolidation thereby removing HGV
trips in the city
▪ An accreditation scheme for HGV operators so business can identify those who are the least polluting
▪ Measures for buses and taxis to ensure they meet the highest emission standards
▪ Measures to encourage sustainable travel and reduce private vehicle use
▪ Port measures including shore side power and preferential charging of the port HGV booking scheme
The proposals are yet to be approved by the Government.
FTA local policy lead: Rebecca Kite (rkite@fta.co.uk)
Sheffield
When: January 2021
Where: Inner ring road
Which vehicles: Class C - Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs and vans
The city intends the CAZ apply to vans as well as HGVs not meeting the Euro 6/VI engine emissions standard;
vehicles would be charged for using the inner ring road, from £10 a day for vans, taxis and private hire vehicles,
to £50 a day for buses, coaches and HGVs.
The plans follow a clean air feasibility study over high-polluting parts of Sheffield and Rotherham, which
showed a CAZ within the inner ring road will be necessary to bring the city’s air quality in line with legal levels
by January 2021.
A public consultation is expected later in 2019. FTA will call for the start date for the CAZ to be as late as
practical, to enable industry to adapt, and to be kept as small as possible. We will also suggest vans should only
be included if it is proven to be essential. The daily charge for HGVs is proposed to be £50, which is consistent
with Leeds City Council’s proposals. FTA is also calling for authorities charged with setting up CAZs to work
Freight Transport Association 5
together on a single, nationwide system for registering and charging non-compliant vehicles entering the
different zones and for
The proposal is that the Sheffield CAZ will cover the area bounded by the inner ring road. The inner ring road
itself would be included in the CAZ and therefore non-compliant buses, coaches, taxis (London-style hackneys
and private hire), HGVs and LGVs would be charged a daily rate for entering and moving within the zone.
FTA local policy lead: Mags Simpson (msimpson@fta.co.uk)
Leicester
When: January 2020
Where: Outer Ring Road (the A563)
Which vehicles: Class D - Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs vans and cars
Leicester had been given Direction from the Secretary of State to undertake a full modelling on a chargeable
CAZ on the outer Ring Road (the A563) by April 2019, but this work has been delayed and is expected in late
July. The city will then use this baseline study to pursue other options in an attempt to avoid a chargeable CAZ
from being put in place. There will also need to be significant work on modelling displacement traffic due to the
size and location of this road. Leicester needs to have final plans, following the modelling work and subsequent
public consultation, ready by October 2019, for a Band D zone in place by 2021.
FTA local policy lead: Chris Yarsley (cyarsley@fta.co.uk)
Bath
When: Scheme is due to enter into force in November 2020
Where: City centre zone includes A4 and A36
Which vehicles: Class C - Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs and vans
Following a consultation which closed in November 2018, Bath and North East Somerset Council decided to
remove cars from the proposals and implement a class C zone. Non-compliant HGVs will be required to pay £100
to enter the Zone, whilst non-compliant vans will be charged £9.
The proposals are yet to be approved by the Government.
Website: http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/bath-breathes-2021-overview
Freight Transport Association 6
Contact: environmental_monitoring@bathnes.gov.uk
FTA local policy lead: Chris Yarsley (cyarsley@fta.co.uk)
Bristol
Where: Two zones: a small and medium zone
Which vehicles: Class C Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs vans or possibly a car ban
When: By 2021
Website: https://bristol.citizenspace.com/growth-regeneration/traffic-clean-air-zone/
Bristol City Council launched a six-week consultation on 1 July on two options. Option one is a Class C CAZ
with proposed daily charges of £9 for vans and £100 for HGVs. Alongside this is a £2,000 scrappage scheme
which is only open to private cars, despite them being exempt from the CAZ. Also proposed are 24/7 access
restrictions to a number of streets in the city centre for HGVs over 3.5 tonnes.
The second option is a diesel car ban applying to a specific central area from 07.00 to 15.00, seven days a week
(this would not apply to taxis/private hire or emergency services).
The consultation has been launched without further detail on how and when the city council expects to achieve
compliance with air quality limits. This information will only be made public on 15 July, about halfway in to the
consultation and Bristol City Council has said that they could amend the two options being consulted upon and
could potentially relaunch consultations on a new hybrid 3rd option, if they see the need.
The consultation does give the possibility to agree on an exemption for operators based within the zone, or
who have a low turnover, but does not go into any detail on exemptions generally.
FTA local policy lead: Chris Yarsley (cyarsley@fta.co.uk)
Freight Transport Association 7
Middlesbrough (confirmed)
Middlesbrough has rejected a CAZ and the Government has approved this decision
https://middlesbrough.gov.uk/news/middlesbroughs-air-quality-given-green-light.
FTA local policy lead: Mags Simpson (msimpson@fta.co.uk)
Greater Manchester
Where: City-wide
Which vehicles: Class D - Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs vans and cars (but not private cars registered
within Greater Manchester).
When: HGVs, buses, taxis and PHVs – 2021
Vans and minibuses – 2023
Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which consists of the ten local authorities within Greater Manchester,
has proposed a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) which is potentially an area within the M60 boundary, but could affect
Greater Manchester town centres outside of this area, such as Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Wigan. The
proposed CAZ would be implemented from 2021 for HGVs, buses, taxis and PHVs. However, non-compliant
vans and minibuses, will not be brought into scope until 2023, when the availability of compliant vans on the
market will make switching a more viable option. Cars would be excluded. Proposed daily charges for non-
compliant vehicles are £100 for HGVs and £7.50 for vans. Greater Manchester has applied for Government
funding to support businesses including £59m for HGVs. They have said that they would not introduce a Clean
Air Zone unless this funding was made available to help businesses upgrade to cleaner vehicles.
FTA is pleased the leaders of Greater Manchester have taken van availability into account during their initial
suggestions, and we will be taking this to other authorities as a preferred and plausible example for CAZ
charging models. However, we will also urge the Combined Authority to reconsider their scope of the overall
plans, urging local authorities to scale back the proposal as Leeds and Birmingham have done.
The outline business case has been submitted to Government and the first stage of informal consultation
closed on 30 June 2019. Feedback from this, and a following statutory consultation, will be used to inform the
final plan by the end of the year.
Freight Transport Association 8
TfGM has also provided an overview briefing document, which can be viewed here. You can also find out if your
vehicles would be charged for entering the Clean Air Zone using the vehicle checker here. For more
information, and to find the consultation, please visit cleanairGM.com.
FTA local policy lead: Mags Simpson (msimpson@fta.co.uk)
York
City of York Council has proposed a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) for the centre of York which will initially focus on
buses. Unlike other parts of the country where a Clean Air Zone is a mandatory requirement, the council say
they are ‘proactively’ looking to introduce the new zone by 2020, in recognition of the impact that poor air
quality can have. The only detail of the CAZ so far proposes that individual buses that enter the Clean Air Zone
five or more times per day must meet ultra-low emission bus standards (ULEB), such as Euro 6 diesel buses or
gas powered and electric hybrid buses.
A report was taken to Executive on Thursday January 17 outlining the feedback of the consultation.
More information: https://airqualitynews.com/2019/01/10/york-to-introduce-a-clean-air-zone/
FTA local policy lead: Mags Simpson (msimpson@fta.co.uk)
Coventry
Coventry is now required to impose a Band D Clean Air Zone after the Government rejected its plans for
alternative measures. Coventry City Council had originally decided to implement a suite of initiatives to comply
with air quality standards that would have avoided the introduction of a chargeable CAZ. The Government has
deemed this approach to be insufficient to achieve the required standard and the city has been directed to
implement a Band D chargeable CAZ.
FTA will continue to work with the City Council on the development of the plans to minimize the impact on
members.
More information: http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/68/pollution/171/air_quality/2
FTA local policy lead: Chris Yarsley (cyarsley@fta.co.uk)
Newcastle, Gateshead & North Tyneside
When: January 2021
Which vehicles: Class D - Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs vans and cars
Freight Transport Association 9
Newcastle, Gateshead and North Tyneside councils have consulted on air quality measures including a
potential CAZ, which the Government ordered must be part of the consultation
A charging CAZ would affect all vehicles that do not meet the Government’s minimum emissions standards.
Charges could be around £50 per day for lorries, buses and coaches and £12.50 per day for vans, taxis and
cars.
The councils have recently consulted on alternative options, which could include potential tolls on the three
main road bridges over the River Tyne – the Tyne, Swing and Redheugh bridges. Under a system of tolls,
charges would apply to all lorries, vans and cars regardless of their emissions. Buses and taxis would not be
required to pay. Tolls could be charged at around £3.40 per journey for lorries and £1.70 per journey for vans
and cars. The final proposals are expected within the coming months.
More information: https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/news/air-quality-consultation-start-next-week
FTA local policy lead: Mags Simpson (msimpson@fta.co.uk)
Slough
Slough Borough Council will be conducting a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) feasibility study in 2019/20 as part of their
Low Emission Strategy.
The study will investigate the feasibility of a category B or C charging CAZ. The study will also look at a non-
charging zone, to determine if compliance can be achieved without charging non-compliant vehicles.
A category B zone will include HGVs, and a category C zone will also bring vans into scope.
Slough Borough Council is proposing to work with the freight industry to reduce emissions where possible by;
▪ Supporting the uptake of alternatively fuelled vehicles and investing in refuelling infrastructure
▪ Promoting electric delivery vehicles
▪ Looking at routing options for HGVs to avoid the Air Quality Management Areas
▪ Encouraging more freight to be transported by rail for long-haul journeys.
FTA has contacted Slough Borough Council and requested to be included in their future engagement with
stakeholders and will continue to follow them as the plan develops.
FTA local policy lead: Rebecca Kite (rkite@fta.co.uk)
Heathrow Airport
When: 2022
Which Vehicles: Cars, PHVs (and Taxis in 2026)
Heathrow Airport has announced they will be introducing schemes aimed at tackling airport related vehicle
emissions and congestion by 2022. Heathrow’s proposed HULEZ will introduce minimum vehicle emission
standards identical to the London Mayor’s ULEZ (Euro 4 for petrol and Euro 6 for diesel) to target older, more
polluting passenger cars and PHVs entering car parks and drop-off areas at any of Heathrow’s Terminals, 24/7.
The scheme will transition to a wider Heathrow Vehicle Access Charge (HVAC) for all passenger cars, PHVs and
taxis entering the airport to be introduced with the opening of the new runway (expected in 2026).
Initial proposals could set the HULEZ charge between £10-£15, in line with charges set by the Mayor’s ULEZ
charge. Revenue generated from the scheme will go to fund sustainable transport initiatives, community
compensation and subsidise airport charges.
The proposals are aimed at passenger cars and PHVs, and freight vehicles are not impacted by the emissions
charge in 2022, unless they go to the drop-off zone or car parks. Heathrow already falls within the Mayor’s Low
Freight Transport Association 10Emissions Zone (LEZ), where tighter standards are being introduced in 2020. Therefore, Heathrow expects this
to address emissions from freight and servicing vehicles as well as buses serving Heathrow.
The move to the HVAC in 2026 is designed to reduce congestion further and will not apply to freight. A
stakeholder consultation about surface access is due to launch on 18 June 2019.
FTA local policy lead: Denise Beedell (dbeedell@fta.co.uk)
Freight Transport Association 11SCOTLAND
Glasgow LEZ (in operation now for local service buses, confirmed for all other vehicles)
When: 31 December 2022 for local service buses and 31 December 2022 for all other vehicles
Where: City centre
Which vehicles: Buses, coaches, HGVs, vans and cars and a ban not a charge
▪ Euro 3 for motorcycles and mopeds
▪ Euro 4 for petrol cars, vans, minibuses and other specialist vehicles
▪ Euro 6 for diesel cars, vans and minibuses and other specialist vehicles
▪ Euro VI for lorries, buses and coaches and other specialist heavy diesel engine vehicles
Website: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=23025
FTA local policy lead: Mags Simpson (msimpson@fta.co.uk)
Edinburgh LEZ
Edinburgh City Council is proposing two zones: one within Edinburgh city centre; and a second phase
encapsulating the citywide boundary (marked by the city by-pass A720) both to be implemented by the end of
2020. The minimum standard for vehicles entering these zones will be Euro VI for HGV’s, vans and buses; Euro
6 for diesel cars; and Euro 4 for petrol cars.
The city centre LEZ will ban all vehicles from entering the zone, with a grace period until 2021 for commercial
vehicles and buses; and until 2023 for cars. The citywide boundary LEZ will ban commercial vehicles from
entering the zone with a grace period until 2023. The proposals at this stage do not appear to include cars
within the citywide LEZ.
At this stage there are no details on proposed fines for entering the zone in a banned vehicle. FTA will be
expressing their concerns to Edinburgh council and making a submission to the formal consultation process,
which is due to close on 21 July. The consultation can be accessed here:
https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/edinburghlez/
Freight Transport Association 12Edinburgh City Council will be holding stakeholder workshops where attendees can hear about the proposals in
further detail and provide specific input on the proposals:
• Session 1 – Thursday 4 July, Council Chambers, 253 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1YJ, 10am - 12.30pm
• Session 2 – Tuesday 9 July, (Room C47/48) City of Edinburgh Council Office Waverly Court, 4 East
Market Street EH8 8BG, 6pm - 8pm
• Session 3 – Monday 15 July, Council Chambers, 253 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1YJ, 10am - 12.30pm
Those wishing to attend should RSVP to will.garrett@edinburgh.gov.uk clearly stating the organisation they are
representing and with a maximum of two people per organisation.
City centre zone:
City-wide zone:
FTA local policy lead: Mags Simpson (msimpson@fta.co.uk)
Freight Transport Association 13Dundee LEZ
Dundee City Council is in the early stages of planning for the introduction of a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and is
working with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to develop the local air quality model. The model will
support consideration of the emissions contributions from various vehicle types on air quality and help identify
and test potential options for Dundee’s LEZ.
Funding secured through the Air Quality Fund is supporting the collection of traffic data and the development
of a traffic model to support the design of the LEZ. This will be carried out in coming months and will provide
essential information for consideration of options.
FTA will be attending a meeting on 20 June to discuss the proposals and expects proposals to be published for
consultation by the end of July.
FTA local policy lead: Mags Simpson (msimpson@fta.co.uk)
Aberdeen LEZ
Aberdeen City Council is in the early stages of planning for the introduction of a Low Emission Zone and is
working with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to develop the local air quality model. The model will
support consideration of the emissions' contributions from various vehicle types on air quality and help identify
and test potential options for Aberdeen’s Low Emission Zone.
Contact: transportstrategy@aberdeencity.gov.uk
FTA local policy lead: Mags Simpson (msimpson@fta.co.uk)
More information about Scottish Low Emission Zones is available at: www.lowemissionzones.scot
Freight Transport Association 14WALES
On 30 November 2018, the Welsh Government published its supplement to the UK plan for tackling roadside
nitrogen dioxide concentrations. The document sets out action the Welsh Government is taking on five sites on
the Welsh Government Managed Road Network and in two Welsh local authority areas. The actions are
designed to achieve legal limits for NO2 within the shortest possible time and, most importantly, protect public
health.
Temporary 50mph speed limits were introduced in June at the five sections of the Motorway and Trunk Road
Network which exceed legal limits. The roads include:
▪ A494 at Deeside (5.9km)
▪ A483 near Wrexham (2.6km)
▪ M4 between junctions 41 and 42 (Port Talbot) (5.0km)
▪ M4 between junctions 25 and 26 (Newport) (1.4km)
▪ A470 between Upper Boat and Pontypridd (4.2km)
The plan proposes to make these speed limits permanent, along with the introduction of variable diversion
routes in Newport. The speed limits and diversion will be subject to review periodically.
The Welsh Government has placed a Direction on Cardiff and Caerphilly Councils to undertake an assessment
by 30 June 2019 to identify the best option to achieve statutory NO2 limit values within the shortest possible
time. The Welsh Government has also allocated £20 million towards supporting the two local authorities to
achieve compliance.
The Welsh Government will be publishing a Clean Air Plan for Wales in 2019 which will identify key pollutants,
their effects on public health and the natural environment in Wales and what actions needs to be taken to
improve air quality.
Cardiff
Consistent with FTA’s campaigning, Cardiff City Council has announced it will not be implementing a CAZ to
combat air pollution in the city. This follows the findings of an independent survey to forecast future nitrogen
dioxide (NO2) pollution levels in Cardiff, which are already close to roadside legal limits. However, the review
identified only one street likely to breach EU legal limits in the future, so the Council is proposing an outline
business case of alternative CAZ measures. If funding for the two-year programme is approved by
Government, it will include: the replacement or retrofitting of buses to either electric or Euro 6 standard; major
changes to Castle Street, Westgate Street and the city centre loop to enable more efficient public transport
movement; a revised taxi policy, and more 20mph areas.
More information on Cardiff City Council’s announcement can be found on its news website here.
FTA local policy lead: Sally Gilson (sgilson@fta.co.uk)
Freight Transport Association 15ULTRA-LOW EMISSION VEHICLE (ULEV) AND ZERO-EMISSION ZONES
Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles are those emitting less than 75g CO2/km. Apart from plug-in electric vans,
currently there are no vans or HGVs on the market which meet this definition.
Hackney ULEV Streets (in operation now)
Only vehicles emitting less than 75g CO2/km are authorised to enter the Hackney ULEV zone weekdays
between the hours of 07:00 – 10:00 and 16:00 – 19:00.
Willow Street, Blackall Street – which were originally in the scheme - and Ravey Street (at the end of Willow
Street and Blackall Street) are no longer included and now have a permanent 24/7 ban for all vehicles over
7.5T)
Enforcement is undertaken by ANPR cameras situated at the entry points to the zone and PCNs (£130 reduced
to £65 if paid within 14 days) will be issued to unauthorised vehicles for every breach.
This is effectively an HGV ban as there are no vehicles available that meet the City Fringe definition of an ultra-
low emission vehicle and only plug in electric vans will meet the standard.
FTA has expressed concern about the lack of wider business engagement, very short lead time (three weeks)
and the lack of publicity about the scheme. Whilst businesses and residents based within the zone were advised
their vehicles are exempt, there was limited recognition about the impact on deliveries, servicing or on
recovery vehicles entering to recover a break-down. Since 3 September, Hackney has made public statements
that the scheme is a trial. However, we were originally told it was a permanent scheme. Although this is only a
handful of streets, this is likely to be a blueprint for other authorities to follow, with the potential for a
patchwork of similar schemes elsewhere in London and beyond. FTA has made strenuous efforts to engage
with Hackney Council with limited success. However, whilst originally there was no indication of any
monitoring, review periods or impact assessments being planned, our lobbying of Hackney has now resulted in
an assurance that monitoring, review and assessment will take place with results published in mid-2019. A
Freight Transport Association 16robust press release was widely covered by the trade press and Denise Beedell was interviewed by London Live
on the day the scheme started.
Since the scheme was introduced FTA have met with Hackney’s Streetscene Team. They are aware of gaps and
are now undertaking a scoping exercise to understand the issues. We have obtained agreement to review the
data obtained and will be meeting with them in the spring.
FTA local policy lead: Denise Beedell (dbeedell@fta.co.uk)
City of London
The City of London Corporation published its Transport Strategy following a public consultation, which sets a
target of reducing motor traffic by 25 per cent by 2030 and 50 per cent by 2044. To help achieve this, The
Corporation will be pressing the Mayor of London to introduce a Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) similar in area to
the Congestion Charge Zone by 2030.
The City Corporation also plans to implement a 15mph speed limit across the Square Mile, subject to
government approval. This is likely to come into force by the end of 2022.
The areas to be covered by the ZEZs are around the Barbican and Golden Lane Estates, where there is the
greatest residential density in the City, and the City Cluster, covering the area of skyscrapers in the east of the
City, where there is the greatest commercial density.
The Corporation will phase the roll out of these vehicles by mode. Details are uncertain currently, but so far, we
know that vans and HGVs may be exempt for a period after 2022 whilst the market for zero-emission vehicles
matures. They state they will work closely with the freight industry to identify when it will be appropriate to
enforce the standards on these vehicle types.
Freight Transport Association 17Details about how the scheme will be enforced, what the charging levels will be and whether zero-emission
capable vehicles will also be exempt will be considered at the feasibility stage
Some of the proposed measures in the Transport Strategy include:
▪ Establishing local Zero Emission Zones (ZEZs) covering the City Cluster and the Barbican and Golden
Lane by 2022, consulting with residents and businesses and reflect the availability of zero emission
capable vehicles, whilst seeking to accelerate their uptake. (NB. The 12-month pilot scheme, which
planned to restrict access to the southern section of Moor Lane to ULEVs until October after a public
consultation revealed strong concerns about the scheme).
▪ Seek to reduce the number of motorised freight vehicles in the Square Mile by 15 per cent by 2030 and
by 30 per cent by 2044 and facilitate the transition to ultra-low emission and zero emission delivery
vehicles.
▪ Explore the potential for area and City-wide timed access and loading restrictions for motorised freight
vehicles. Our aim is to reduce the number of these vehicles on our streets in the peak periods by 50 per
cent by 2030 and by 90 per cent by 2044, while ensuring businesses and residents can still receive
essential deliveries.
▪ Seek a phased introduction of ZEZ restrictions with the aim of ensuring that 90 per cent of motor
vehicles entering the Square Mile are zero emission capable by 2030. This is likely to be achieved
through a combination of access restrictions and charging for non-zero emission capable vehicles
▪ Pedestrian priority streets will be access-only for motor vehicles, with all vehicles, including cycles,
expected to give way to people walking.
▪ Explore the potential for a charging hub with priority access for commercial vehicles.
▪ Dedicated loading/delivery bays outside of peak hours (7am – 7pm), introduce more dedicated loading
bays and use technology to allow real-time management of loading activity.
▪ Implement multi-use spaces, for example loading bay during off-peak hours, additional pavement space
during the morning, lunchtime and evening peaks and a taxi rank during the evening.
▪ Consider ‘opportunities’ for preferential pricing for parking/loading for vehicles in this category, to
provide time limited incentives.
▪ If a clear commitment to road user charging is not set out in the next Mayor’s election manifesto,
explore the feasibility of developing an appropriate charging mechanism for the Square Mile, working
with London Councils and London’s boroughs to ensure a coordinated approach.
FTA local policy lead: Denise Beedell (dbeedell@fta.co.uk)
Moor Lane ZEZ
Proposals for a Zero Emission Zone in Moor Lane, near the Barbican, were first planned to be introduced in
April 2019, then postponed until October 2019, following a robust consultation response from stakeholders,
including FTA. FTA has now learned that this scheme has been dropped completely.
FTA local policy lead: Denise Beedell (dbeedell@fta.co.uk)
Freight Transport Association 18Oxford
Oxfords original proposal called for a phased roll out of a Zero Emission Zone over 15 years from 2020 to
2035. This proposal consisted of three zones, which would get gradually bigger over time, all vehicles were to
be included except HGVs which would be brought into scope in 2035.
Following their consultation in Autumn 2017, they have updated their proposal and the zone could bring in
more vehicle types sooner and cover a larger area.
In 2020, local buses entering the red zone will need to meet the Euro VI standard, there could be a potential
charging scheme for any tourist buses accessing the area. There will then be a part time restriction for ALL
other vehicles, operating between 10am – 6pm, any vehicle which is not zero emission capable will not be
permitted to enter the red zone. The green zone in 2020 will just include buses
In 2022, the green zone will then include vans and HGVs – possible measures to incentivise the use of electric
vehicles, or restrictions placed on vehicles entering the zone. The possible restrictions will be the cleanest
technology available which is currently Euro VI.
2025-2035 further tightening of the green zone for all transport modes- including cars
FTA has met with Oxford City Council to make sure their proposals acknowledge that there are currently no
zero emission options for HGVs, and there are only a handful of vans which meet the less than 75g/km of CO2
proposed standard. While the council considers these plans, FTA has also offered to assist it in a scoping
exercise for HGVs and to help look at ways the city can identify and minimise congestion, as this could result in
a significant reduction in emissions, ahead of a decision to include these proposals in the next public
consultation.
FTA local policy lead: Rebecca Kite (rkite@fta.co.uk)
Freight Transport Association 19For more information contact:
Natalie Chapman
Head of South of England & Urban Policy
nchapman@fta.co.uk
Rebecca Kite
Environment Policy Manager
rkite@fta.co.uk
Denise Beedell
Policy Manager – Vans & Urban
dbeedell@fta.co.uk
Freight Transport Association 20You can also read
