Agenda item - Low Emission Zone update

Report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture

1)           That the Committee authorises an application to the Traffic Commissioner to amend the current Traffic Regulation Condition which established the Euro V bus based Low Emission Zone in Castle Square, North Street and Western Road to extend to the junction with Palmeira Square with a provisional start date of 1 January 2019.

2)           That the Committee declares that the new conditions of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone will require that all new Public Service Vehicles operating in the zone should meet as a minimum the Euro VI emission standard, with only the licensed exemptions set out in this report. Bus operators will have until October 2024 to replace or convert all buses entering the Low Emission Zone to the new Euro VI standard.

3)           That the Committee removes the current exemption for low frequency bus routes in the zone and authorises that the ‘Low Emission Zone Guidance for Bus Operators’ be updated in line with the new operating criteria.

10.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture that provided an update on the Low Emission Zone in North Street and Western Road introduced in January 2015 and requested approval to introduce an upgraded bus based Ultra-Low Emission Zone in the area.

10.2      Councillor West expressed his disappointment that no proposal was forthcoming to challenge cars and lorries entering the area to be low emission. Councillor West stated that a step change was required to improve air quality that needed to go beyond measures applied to buses alone.

10.3      The Chair noted that the bus companies had delivered one year earlier than expected on retrofits that demonstrated their commitment to improving air quality. In addition, the Chair referred to paragraph 4.4 that clearly set out the other measures being introduced in the city and future options.

10.4      Referring to paragraph 4.4, Councillor Atkinson asked how straightforward it would be to clearly distinguish a group of private vehicles.

10.5      The Parking Strategy & Contracts Manager answered that there were various methods to prohibit or charge vehicles to enter a zone. One such method was the introduction of a Clean Air Zone that was wider in scope than the targeted method of a Low Emission Zone.

10.6      Councillor Littman welcomed the report that demonstrated the council was moving in the right direction on air quality and the good relations with local bus service providers. Councillor Littman expressed his disappointment that high emission vehicles such as taxis and private vehicles could continue to travel through the Low Emission Zone. Councillor Littman added that permitting heavy vehicles and lorries with poor emission standards would not achieve a zero emission standard and he urged continued work to be made. 

10.7      Councillor Wares congratulated the bus companies on meeting the challenge to retrofit buses ahead of time and their continued commitment. Councillor Wares added that the timetable for the next stage was challenging and it was important for all partners and stakeholders to work hard to that end.

10.8      RESOLVED-

1)           That the Committee authorises an application to the Traffic Commissioner to amend the current Traffic Regulation Condition which established the Euro V bus based Low Emission Zone in Castle Square, North Street and Western Road to extend to the junction with Palmeira Square with a provisional start date of 1 January 2019.

2)           That the Committee declares that the new conditions of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone will require that all new Public Service Vehicles operating in the zone should meet as a minimum the Euro VI emission standard, with only the licensed exemptions set out in this report. Bus operators will have until October 2024 to replace or convert all buses entering the Low Emission Zone to the new Euro VI standard.

3)           That the Committee removes the current exemption for low frequency bus routes in the zone and authorises that the ‘Low Emission Zone Guidance for Bus Operators’ be updated in line with the new operating criteria.