Oxford is on the verge of becoming one of the first UK cities to gain a zero-emission zone (ZEZ) following the completion of a final round of public consultations.
Almost 900 Oxford residents approved the ZEZ, which means that if Oxford County Council and Oxford City Council give their approval later this month, the zone can begin to be implemented. If approved, it's due to be created in August 2021.
The zone, which was first proposed in 2015, will be modelled on central London’s Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ). It will follow the unveiling of similar schemes in Bath (15 March) and Birmingham (1 June) as cities across the UK seek to reduce CO2 emissions in line with the government’s demands to improve air quality.
Zero-emissions vehicles will be able to use the zone free of charge, but other vehicles will be charged between £2 and £10 per day to enter the area. From August 2025, this is proposed to be lifted to between £4 to £20.
Ultra-low-emissions vehicles (those that emit less than 75g/km of CO2) will incur a £2 charge, rising to £4. Drivers of Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel vehicles will be charged £4 (rising to £8). For more polluting vehicles, the charge is £10 (rising to £20).
Discounts from charges will be available to those already living within the zone, business vehicles, blue badge holders and vehicles with a disabled tax class.
Although the size of the zone is yet to be confirmed, it's expected to encompass a handful of streets in Oxford’s city centre at first, including St Michael’s Street and New Inn Hall Street, before being expanding to the rest of the city.
The zone will be active between 7am and 7pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Councillor Yvonne Constance, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “Tackling air pollution and climate change is a huge priority for Oxfordshire County Council.
“Not only will the zero-emission zone make a difference to the quality of life and health of people living and working in the city centre, [but also] we are showing that change is possible as we start to respond seriously with climate action. We can look forward to a city that will be a healthier and cleaner place for all.”
READ MORE
Oxford set to introduce city-centre Zero Emission Zone in 2020
Oxford plans to ban petrol and diesel cars from 2020
Self-driving Ford Mondeos roll out in Oxford for government-backed project
Join the debate
Add your comment
Are we still going after the easy target? Cars contribute a lot less to pollution now than wood burning stoves or things like the bonfire you have in the garden to get rid of the leaves that the Council stopped taking at the end of November....
Welcome to the world of local government where minuscule numbers of the population can impose a corrupt and flawed ideology on the vast majority due to the dishonesty of local councillors. It is beyond time for a total overhaul of local government. Cities like Manchester are a one party state more akin to North Korea than the the United Kingdom where Corbynite Labour councillors can impose any lunatic left wing nonsense because there is no opposition. No local authority in the country is any different regardless of which party is in charge. Local government is the most corrupt and rotten part of governance in this country. Oxford Council is simply following suit by asking a selected small part of the electorate a closed, carefully designed series of questions in a false consultation they obtain the answer they need to impose a stupid policy.
Don't forget about the curfew for men, the loons are taking over, postal voting is encouraged and yet voter ID is racist, 16 year olds are wise enough to vote but don't know what they're doing when they sign up to terrorism. I'm off to pastures new, the UK is f....d.