Further delays to city’s Clean Air Zone launch
THE launch of a Clean Air Zone in Bristol will likely be delayed yet again due to a “national issue with bus lanes”, according to the city’s mayor.
The Clean Air Zone was initially due to come into force in October last year but has faced repeated delays.
Recently it was expected to be launched this September but this will now likely be pushed back again due to a change in regulations on bus lanes.
The Department for Transport last week increased fines for those who drove into bus lanes from £60 to £70, but increased the number of days people had to pay a discounted fine from 14 days to 21.
Marvin Rees, the mayor of Bristol, said the city council has done “everything we can” and blamed Westminster for the delays. In a fortnightly press conference, he admitted that the launch would potentially be delayed longer than September but didn’t give many details.
Asked if the launch is still on track for September, Mr Rees said: “We have done everything we can in Bristol. There has been a bit of an issue.
“A national change to bus lane regulations by the Government has actually resulted in one of the suppliers of the implementation changing their work programme. So that’s a national issue that could result in some issues.
It is time to celebrate Summer so we are giving you the chance to win some fabulous prizes that will help you enjoy the hot summer months ahead.
Over the next four weeks we have £4,000 worth of prizes up for grabs.
Our fabulous prizes will help you take that holiday you deserve or perhaps buy the garden furniture you’ve always dreamed of.
We will also help you beat the squeeze with the chance to win shopping vouchers as well as great cash prizes.
This week we are giving you £1000 worth of cash which can be used to take a holiday abroad and in the UK.
Every day from Monday, 6 June until Saturday 11 June, there will be a token and online code printed inside this newspaper. Simply collect 3 out of the 6 codes OR tokens printed.
“We’re trying to get clarification on details on that but it’s a concern that we now have the disruption with one of the suppliers that could impact on us. We’ll get more information on that. In the meantime it’s something we’re pushing on on all fronts.
“We’re going to get some clarity for us on the consequences of this change. Physically and socially we’ve done what we can as a local authority but we need the Government to come through now.”
No specific date has been given for when the Clean Air Zone will start, despite it eventually affecting tens of thousands of drivers in Bristol. Charges would be set at £9 a day for smaller vehicles and £100 for larger vehicles. Bristol City Council is legally required to introduce measures to cut harmful air pollution from vehicles driving in the city centre.
Exemptions had been put in place for some drivers until the end of 2022 but these are unlikely to continue into 2023. However, as the launch keeps getting pushed back, it appears exempt drivers will only have a short time, if any, when they won’t have to pay the charge.
We’ve done what we can as a local authority, but we need the Government to come through now MARVIN REES
Once you have your three online codes, visit www.somersetlive.co.uk/ summergiveaway and complete the entry form along with your codes.
Alternatively if you wish to enter via post, simply post THREE tokens along with the entry form to: Ultimate Summer Giveaway, WEEK 1, Reach PLC, One Central Quay, Glasgow, G3 8DA.
Closing date for entries is 5pm on Friday, 17th June 2022.
Name:
Contact telephone number: