Drivers could be charged £9 a day to drive through Bath City Centre

Some areas in Bath have NO2 levels that currently exceeds EU and national limits. Credit:

Bath and North East Somerset Council today announced its proposals and the start of a six-week public consultation on a Charging Clean Air Zone in Bath’s city centre.

Drivers in Bath could be charged £9 per day to drive through the city centre, with Buses, coaches and HGVs being charged £100 per day, if they don't meet the Government’s minimum, national emission standards.

The proposed Charging Clean Air Zone would mean drivers of higher emission vehicles would be charged when entering the proposed zone in the city centre from late 2020.

Diesel vehicles registered before approx. 2015 and petrol vehicles registered before approx. 2006 will be charged.

Some areas in Bath have NO2 levels that currently exceeds EU and national limits. The aim of the charge is to cut these pollution levels dramatically by 2021.

Revenue from the proposed zone would be used to run the scheme and any money left over would be used to support greener modes of travel.

The public consultation will run until 26 November and the council must reach a decision by December.

Councillor Bob Goodman, Cabinet Member for Development and Neighbourhoods, said: “Like many councils up and down the country we have to address NO2 levels which are harmful to people’s health."

The aim of the charge is to cut these pollution levels dramatically by 2021.

The proposed charges would only apply to higher emission vehicles that do not meet the Government’s minimum, national emission standards to travel freely (without charge) in a Charging Clean Air Zone.

Vehicles that do not meet the Government’s minimum standards and which would not be charged in the proposed zone are:

Pre-Euro 6 diesel vehicles (registered before approx.2015) inc. hybrids andPre-Euro 4 petrol vehicles (registered before approx. 2006) inc. hybrids.