With some local authorities introducing charging Clean Air Zones (CAZ) to improve air quality, Liverpool has been instructed by Government to produce a Clean Air Plan which will detail how air quality can be improved within the shortest possible time. As part of this, Liverpool is required to look at whether a charging CAZ scheme could work for the city.
Over the past two months, local taxi drivers and businesses across the Liverpool City Region have been approached for their comments on Clean Air Proposals – and with a week to go, there’s still time to feedback.
Clean Air is important for the environment and supports public health policy and the local economy, by making cities better places to live, work, do business and spend leisure time – but the Council is also aware that the roll out of any charging CAZ isn’t a straightforward one.
At present, the Council is working to develop a solution to air quality issues across the city that does not include a CAZ, but still needs to both understand current business and taxi operations, and their plans for improvements. This is alongside testing a charging CAZ, so feedback from across the region is welcomed to inform plans.
A Clean Air Zone (CAZ) is defined as:
“A targeted measure taken to improve air quality resulting from pollution from vehicles and a measure to reduce Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) emissions which are harmful to human health.”
Liverpool City Council is currently looking at four types of charging CAZ, which are categorized from Class A to D – with CAZ D being the strictest form.
If a charging CAZ was introduced, non-compliant vehicles would be charged unless exempt – and additional measures would be examined to further improve air quality in the city and support non-compliant vehicle owners.
More information on Clean Air Zones can be found online at: https://letscleartheairliverpool.co.uk/what-is-a-clean-air-zone/
Surveys are still open
To help support the development of the council’s Clean Air Plan and give insight into the current situation with local businesses and taxis, their experience over the past few years and what plans they may have regarding fleet upgrades, the council is calling for feedback.
Taxis: https://letscleartheairliverpool.co.uk/clean-air-plan-taxi-survey/
Businesses: https://letscleartheairliverpool.co.uk/clean-air-plan-business-survey/
The closing date for both surveys is 11.59 on Monday 2nd May and they should take less than 20 minutes to complete.
Any questions regarding the Clean Air Plan can be sent to Liverpool.CleanAirPlan@liverpool.gov.uk
Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, Cllr Dan Barrington said:
“Liverpool’s transport priorities are changing, and the Council is committed to providing better active travel and public transportation in the city and the wider city region. Climate change is part of the mayoral ‘triple lock’ for decision making – but concerns of cost, impact and effectiveness of any charging CAZ also need to be considered.”
“To date the council has modelled various charging CAZ options with varying success, however, no charging boundary has been identified that would see a significant enough impact on air quality, without high risks to the city’s economic recovery.”
Strategic Director for City Development Director, Mark Bousfield said:
“Liverpool has spent the last two years developing and refining proposals to make sure we understand the problems and find the best solution for the city, businesses and residents. Residents and stakeholders have expressed strong views, both in the city and across the wider city region.”
“We do still however need feedback from taxi drivers and businesses in the city and city region to understand the impact a charging CAZ would make to them.”