In response to the impact of COVID-19, a number of major cities have delayed the introduction of their planned clean air zones (CAZ), including Birmingham, Bath, Leeds, Oxford and Manchester.
- Birmingham – Originally scheduled to go live this summer, the launch date has now been postponed until 2021. The CAZ will cover all the roads within the A4540 Middleway Ring Road, but not the Middleway itself
- Bath – Originally scheduled for November 2020, this will not go live before January 2021. The approved zone includes the city centre and charges will only apply to non-compliant, higher emission taxis and private hire vehicles, vans, buses, coaches, and HGVs. Private cars and motorbikes will not be charged regardless of their emission standards
- Leeds – Has been delayed until further notice. The zone is due to cover over half of Leeds city centre, with HGVs, buses and coaches that fail to meet the low emission standards set to be charged £50 a day to travel within the zone, while taxis and private hire vehicles will be charged £12.50 per day. Taxi and private hire drivers are set to pay a discounted rate of £50 per week if their vehicles are licensed in Leeds
- Oxford zero emission zone (ZEZ) – Has been postponed with a view to implementing the scheme in the Summer of 2021. The ZEZ would cover the ‘Red Zone’ which includes a small area of the city centre and will apply to all non-compliant vehicles, including private cars. Non-compliant vehicles who choose to enter the zone will face a £10 charge between 7am and 7pm
- Greater Manchester – Delayed for a year until 2022. The planned CAZ covers 10 local authority areas across Greater Manchester. HGVs, LGVs, buses and taxis would be charged to enter the CAZ if they don’t meet nitrogen dioxide emissions standards. Private cars would not be charged
The councils continue to work closely with central government as the launch of CAZs is kept under constant review.