Bath’s Clean Air Zone is set to launch on Monday, 15th March 2021 as the first charging Clean Air Zone in England outside of London. It will not charge private cars.

It means Bath will be the first city in England to launch a charging CAZ outside London, which has a similar ultra-low emission zone. However, the date will be monitored to account for any significant developments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Drivers affected by charges are advised to check www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathCAZ for a list of local exemptions and whether they might be eligible for financial support to upgrade their vehicle or fleet.

The financial support scheme aims to support people regularly affected by charges with grants and interest-free finance to help them upgrade to compliant vehicles. Local businesses and individuals, including those in neighbouring authorities that have premises and/or regularly drive in the zone, can apply.

There are also a wide range of exemptions available for hard-to-replace or special vehicles, and to support disadvantaged groups and vital services in the city.

Discounts are also available for drivers of larger, higher emission motorhomes and horse-transporters (private heavy goods vehicles) who can pay £9 instead of £100 provided they register with the Council. Applications for all local exemptions and discounted vehicles will open in November.  

Council Leader, Dine Romero, said: “We have worked hard to secure a considerable package of financial and other support to help business owners and I would urge them to get in touch, talk to us and find out how we can help.

“We all want clean air and the zone is a step towards our wider ambitions to address air quality and tackle the climate emergency.”  

The Clean Air Zone will operate in the city centre 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Charges will apply to pre-euro 6/VI diesel and pre-euro 4 petrol vehicles, except private cars and motorbikes.

Higher emission taxis, private hire vehicles, minibuses, LGVs and vans (including pick-ups and campervans) will be charged £9 a day while higher emission buses, coaches and HGVs will be charged £100 a day.

The Council is now urging residents and businesses to check their vehicles to see if they will be charged. Drivers can do this using the government’s central CAZ service at www.gov.uk/cleanairzone. A central CAZ support service is also available on: 0300 029 8888 to assist those with any questions on their vehicle’s compliance.