Motorists being forced off the road over Clean Air Zone car tax charges – ‘not feasible’

PMQs: PM says Clean Air Zone is ‘unworkable’

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Following the introduction of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone, a number of cities have followed suit, implementing their own localised versions of a Clean Air Zone. Despite their environmental benefits, Safa Alkateb, CEO of Autocab, warned that they could lead to an even greater loss of taxi drivers as a result of the high charges.

To drive through Birmingham’s CAZ, taxi drivers face a daily charge of £8, compared to £9 in Bath and £10 in Portsmouth.

Before its postponement, taxi and private hire drivers would have been charged £7.50 to drive inside Greater Manchester’s 500-square mile charging zone.

Mr Alkateb highlighted the impacts emissions-based charging zones are having on drivers and what it could mean if they become more common.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, he said: “More support is needed with recent regulatory changes – brought in by both central Government and local authorities – that are impacting drivers, such as Clean Air Zones and HMRC tax checks. 

“These regulations are aimed at solving individual issues in the industry, such as carbon emissions and the hidden economy. 

“However, when combined and paired with the cost-of-living crisis, what they actually achieve is a strategic failure.

“There are now too many barriers being presented to new drivers, which is making the existing shortage worse.

“[This is] increasing public safety risks, limiting accessible transport for those with disabilities, and potentially leading to failures in important public services like non-emergency hospital transport and school runs for children who need assistance.”

DON’T MISS
Dad’s fury as ‘holidaying’ stranger parks car on his driveway for days [SHOCKING]
Drivers react with fury to city banning petrol and diesel cars [COMMENT]
Grants extended as drivers could save £16,000 on an electric vehicle [INSIGHT]

Many drivers have protested against emissions-based charging zones, as seen with London’s ULEZ and the now-delayed Manchester CAZ.

Hundreds of taxi drivers took part in protests in February to protest against the charges in Greater Manchester, with motorists in Salford, Manchester and Rochdale all making their voices heard.

Safa Alkateb continued, saying: “I think we can all agree that Clean Air Zones serve an important purpose in meeting key sustainability targets, but the way these are being rolled out is not feasible for drivers.

“Telling someone whose livelihood is driving that they must go out and buy an expensive electric vehicle simply creates another reason to leave the industry.

Book here

Book your MOT with the UK’s #1 MOT tester – just click the link to book online.


Source: Read Full Article