1 hour ago
By Tim Dodd, BBC News, England
England’s clean air zones had raised more than £150m for local authorities by the end of last year, a BBC investigation has found.
Clean air zones (CAZs) are designed to cut pollution by charging drivers a fee to enter certain areas, and have not been without controversy.
Since 2021 CAZs have begun operation in Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield, and Tyneside.
An additional £163m was raised in London, which has had a low emission zone since 2008 and an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) since 2019.
The idea is to encourage people to take public transport, or drive newer or electric cars that are less polluting.
However, detractors say CAZs are penalising those unable to afford to buy lower-emission vehicles.
So what are councils spending the money raised via clean air zones on – and is it benefiting local people?
Transport
The Transport Act 2000 requires local authorities in England to reinvest any excess earnings from clean air zones into local transport plans.
Bristol City Council estimated that by the end of the 2023/24 financial year, it had invested over £6.6m in repairs and improvements to roads and footpaths, encouraging walking and cycling and reducing traffic congestion.
Residents are able access free bike and e-bike trials, adult cycle training, and taster bus and train tickets.
Bradford Metropolitan District Council used £1.7m of proceeds from its scheme to fund a number of transport improvements, including a greener vehicle fleet for the council and an electric vehicle charging network.
The council says it now has the cleanest licenced taxi fleet in
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