Logistics UK urge hauliers to take action as more cities introduce clean air zones

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As Bath introduces its new clean air zone, Logistics UK has urged hauliers to take action to meet the clean air requirements set to be introduced by a number of other cities throughout the UK.

As of today, pre-Euro 6 (diesel) and pre-Euro 4 (petrol) HGVs and buses will have to pay £100 per day to access the centre of Bath. Hybrids are exempt.

Payment can be made up to six days in advance, on the day the vehicle is driven in the zone, or in the six days after. The charges will apply from midnight to midnight, seven days a week.

You can find more information on the Bath clean air scheme here.

Photo credit: Bath and North East Somerset Council

As Logistics UK explains, there are nonetheless more cities that are due to implement similar rules. One of those is Bradford, where HGVs and buses that breach pollution limits will be charged £50 to enter the city centre.

The changes are due to enter into force in January 2022. More than £30 million of government funding will be available to support businesses, and HGV and bus operators will be able to claim up to £16,000 per vehicle.

Another city that seems set to introduce a clean air zone is Bristol. Logistics UK says the City Council is proposing a vehicle-wide Class D CAZ (clean air zone) that will require drivers of all older, non-compliant vehicle types to pay a daily fee of £100. The council claims that more than 71% of vehicles in the city are already compliant and the earliest it could be implemented is October 2021.

Aberdeen could introduce a low emissions zone too. Logistics UK says the city is currently mulling over 3 different proposals, with the best option set to be chosen this summer. The earliest the scheme could apply is thought to be 2023.

Logistics UK adds that Birmingham’s Class D CAZ is scheduled to come into effect on 1 June 2021 as well. As a result, non-compliant HGVs will be charged £50 a day.

Finally, Manchester’s category C clean air zone will enter into force in spring 2022. Under the proposals, non-compliant HGVs will be charged £60 per day to enter the zone.

Speaking about the changes, Natalie Chapman, Head of Policy – South, Logistics UK, said:

“With Bath’s scheme due to start on Monday (15 March 2021), I am urging members operating HGVs and vans within the zone which do not meet the Euro VI/6 standard required, to take action now. If you plan to continue to operate non-compliant vehicles in the CAZ, you will have to pay a daily charge via the government’s central charging portal and you will need to set up an account. Despite our calls, the system does not have autopay functionality, so members are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new system.”


Photo credit: David Hawgood / Geograph UK