Businesses and residents in Coventry are being asked to have their say about plans to cut pollution in Coventry without introducing a Clean Air Zone.
The plans are being put forward to enable Coventry City Council to bring nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels in line without the need for a charging Clean Air Zone. Although the council had been exploring a Class D CAZ, which would have levied charges on non-compliant cars and vans, it’s repeatedly maintained that a charging CAZ was not needed.
Instead, it had submitted evidence that re-routing roads, improving pedestrian access and investing in electric buses as well as promoting electric taxi and car uptake would bring the requisite reductions in emissions; measures found to be generally supported by residents and businesses in a consultation in December 2018.
The Government has now written to the council to support the proposals, which are backed by a £24.5m grant, and instructed Coventry to submit a final full business case for the package by 19 June which will contain final details on the schemes.
The newly opened consultation will consider a combination of measures to cut emissions and will include public drop-in sessions over the coming weeks and the chance to respond online.
Cllr Jim O’Boyle said: “Local people did not want a CAZ D. Our approach now is to work up schemes that directly target areas where nitrogen dioxide is particularly high.
“Behaviour change – encouraging walking, cycling and use of public transport and making it easier for people and businesses to own and operate electric vehicles – is very important.
“But it is also vital to be able to improve and manage the capacity on some routes. We want to discuss the schemes we have identified with residents. It’s important that we get feedback.”
For more details of the council’s air quality plans, click here.
