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Clean Air Zones (CAZs) are the UK Government’s key mechanism for reducing NO2 from road...
Recommendation
Clean Air Zones (CAZs) are the UK Government’s key mechanism for reducing NO2 from road transport to legal levels “in the shortest possible time”, but they illustrate the Government’s over-reliance on local government to deliver progress. CAZs were already being held up before the pandemic by delays in national funding, lack of national support and local delays. The Government’s updated CAZ- timetable provides only a partial picture with regards to all the local authorities that had been directed to consider whether to introduce CAZs. Many CAZs have been further held up by the pandemic so a concerted effort is needed to achieve faster progress, requiring a more cooperative and joined-up approach between national and local government, as well as more funding. Although local NO2 levels may fall below legal limits over time because of wider changes, in the interim, many local residents will die or suffer health impacts. We also note that some questions remain about the measurement and accuracy of air quality across the country. The Government should, in its response to this report, set out revised timetables for when all the proposed CAZs in England will be implemented and ensure that they are “the shortest possible time”. It should set out the current position with regards to those local authorities which have decided to introduce alternative measures to CAZs, and for those authorities which may be reviewing their proposals because of the pandemic. It should also review what further resources are needed to ensure those timetables don’t slip further.
Paragraph Reference
87
Government Response
Acknowledged
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The measures implemented by local area—including CAZ—are developed by local areas and informed by local modelling data and area needs. The Clean Air Zone Framework (CAZ) in England first published in 2017 ensures consistency between CAZs by setting out the principles local authorities should follow and codifying CAZ classes. Class D CAZs include charging older more polluting passenger cars in addition to commercial vehicles. Considering the potentially significant economic impacts of CAZs Government has been clear that local authorities should implement the minimum class of CAZ needed to deliver NO2 compliance in the shortest possible time to minimise the economic impacts on those Government Response: Air Quality and coronavirus: a glimpse of a different future or business as usual 11 affected. We are confident this approach strikes the right balance. The impacts of covid-19 have further emphasised the need to take account of the economic impacts of CAZs on areas and sectors that may already be struggling. The Framework makes provision for Local Authorities to provide time-limited exemptions for CAZ charges and these are likely to include people with reduced mobility where relevant. For example, Bath and tax classes.
Source
Inquiry
Air Quality
Report
Fifth report - Air Quality and coronavirus: a glimpse of a different future or business as usual
11 Feb 2021
HC 468
Timeline
Recommendation age
5.3 yrs
Report published
11 Feb 2021