Bristol could become the first city in the UK to ban diesel vehicles from its city centre.
In a bid to improve air quality and reduce nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions, the Council is considering a ban on diesel vehicles entering the city centre between 7am and 3pm every day. They may also implement a wider charging zone for commercial vehicles that fail to meet certain emission standards. These measures could be implemented by March 2021.
In 2017, Bristol City Council was one of 24 local authorities the Government ordered to submit plans for how they would comply with legal limits on NO2. The compliance date for all Councils was given as March 2021.
On 5 November the Council will be asked to approve the clean air proposals, and if the plan is passed, they would work on implementing and developing the scheme with the joint air quality unit.
Marvin Rees, the Mayor of Bristol, commented: "These ambitious plans demonstrate our commitment to tackling air pollution so we meet legal limits within the shortest time, without disproportionally affecting citizens on lower incomes, which would happen with a blanket approach to charging vehicles. Protecting the most vulnerable people from pollution is central to these plans and we have ensured that all impacts have been carefully considered. If approved, mitigation measures will support those most affected, especially those living in the most deprived communities."
