Diesel cars could soon be banned from Bristol city centre to clean up the air. In the new proposal, diesel vehicles would be banned between the hours of 7 am to 3 pm. This would force motorists who commute into town on a daily basis to use alternative means of transport such as walking, cycling or public transport. Currently, in areas of the city, much like areas of the country, there are dangerously high levels of nitrogen dioxide, which are produced in higher quantities buy diesel vehicles than petrol.
A clean air proposal has also been made which would see a raft of measures introduced to tackle air pollution.
These would include a bus lane on the M32 and charged for pollution buses, trucks and taxis, reports Bristol Live.
Both proposals would also include a scrappage scheme for motorists looking to swap their older and more polluting car for an alternative method of transport.
A six-week consultation will take place to discuss each separate proposal by the City Council from July 1st.
Many of the technical details will not be made available until made July, according to papers prepared for the council’s ruling Labour cabinet.
There are also concerns and questions whether or not the council will be able to legally impose a ban on diesel vehicles in the city.
The papers detail how diesel cars are responsible for 40 per cent of emissions, followed by diesel buses and coaches at 23 per cent, and diesel vans with 22 per cent.
Mayor Marvin Rees says that while the need is there to improve air quality, it will not be done at the expense of low-income families.
He said: “To successfully tackle serious and complex city challenges like poor air quality we must ensure environmental and social justice go hand in hand.
“We cannot and will not sacrifice our low-income households by introducing widespread charges which will have a detrimental impact on them.”
Earlier versions for a clean air zone which included a proposal for daily £9 charges for taxis and £100 for coaches, buses, and HGVs has previously been rejected.
The new proposal suggests an eight-hour diesel ban options as well as scrappage schemes, and help to make buses and taxis compliant with emissions standards.
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