Agenda item
Bath Clean Air Zone Update
The Bath Clean Air Zone Team will give a short presentation
starting around followed by the opportunity for questions and
opinions to be put forward. The public are welcome to
contribute; all views will be captured and fed into the
consultation process.
http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/bath-breathes-2021-overview/haveyour-
Minutes:
Cathryn Brown (Environmental Protection Team) and Chris Major (Transport and Parking Services) provided a presentation that covered details of the Bath Clean Air Zone.
Further detailed information can also be located at:
Comments and Questions
Councillor Shaun Stevenson-McGall asked how responsive the Council will be to changes in traffic movements especially those that become rat runs
Response
This will be an ongoing process where changes will need to be reviewed, we will utilise the evidence when it becomes clear that change is happening.
We are keen to get the area covered correctly from the start, so it is important that feedback is provided through our public consultation questionnaire.
Councillor Shaun Stevenson-McGall asked how the commuter parking issues in residential areas will be dealt with.
Response
There is an ongoing action to review the structure of the existing parking strategy; we will be keen to work with our communities where there is a need.
Councillor Peter Turner commented about the validity of the data that is being used for Sydney Place and Darlington Street. Many residents want to see the A36 included within the clean air zone.
Robin Kerr commented how an increase in electric car charging points will be reached in Georgian areas of the City. Many people are not able to access parking outside their homes therefore will not be able to charge from their own home. We will need to see a suitably designed charging point option that is compatible with the City.
Councillor Anthony Clarke commented that 38 degrees held a petition that goes against the introduction of this scheme. The Jacobs business report appears to have an issue over specific locations that are outlined.
Councillor Jasper Becker asked how many vehicles it takes to impact on the nitrogen dioxide levels in Bath. Additionally do we know how effective similar schemes that have been that were introduced in Europe and America?
Response
We know that diesel vehicles are the most polluting and add around 90% to the recorded levels. A group called Bath Hacked have validated the data and they also say that diesel cars contribute around 43%.
In Paris there are restrictions on cars entering the City, this uses number plate restrictions and has brought benefits. We are aware that Germany is also working on restrictions.
The government in the UK has a framework that sets out what we need to follow to meet the targets within set timeframes.
Councillor Colin Blackburn asked if there are plans to introduce hydrogen filling station in the local area as the nearest is presently in Swindon.
Response
We are in discussions about these measures.
Nicolette Boater questioned the rationale for deviating from the daily charge used in other cities, remarking that although £9 a day might be an average behavioural tipping point, there may still be a significant proportion of users where the need/convenience/affordability trade-offs still favour use of a polluting car, and so, given the intrinsic uncertainty and diversity surrounding so many individual choices, a rate closer to the £12 a day charged elsewhere might be wise on precautionary grounds” to which the response from officers was that “there is evidence that car drivers in Bath were more sensitive to a pollution charge than drivers in London.”
Councillor Dine Romero asked how the less well-off groups will receive targeted help. Additionally many users of the RUH are not B&NES residents, how is this being dealt with.
Response
There are to be a number of options that will be put into place to help certain groups. It is important that we hear personal stories through the consultation to help us shape this offer.
Once the data from the consultation has been analysed options will be set out on the grant offer to help the most in need.
Groups have been asked to contact us to feed into the process.
The RUH have been
surveying staff and holding drop in sessions.
Jeremy Boss explained he is happy to assist though his links with the RUH, overall it feels we have been well consulted on this topic. The impact of the zone will be much greater if public transport measures are not in place when it starts. The traders in the Widcombe area are not happy with the proposal as they believe they will see a drop in business.
Additionally there needs to be strong signage in place on routes into the City.
Councillor Rob Appleyard felt that there are a number of people that are on the cusp with the vehicles they are presently driving. It would be helpful if there was a tool that you could enter your number plate to check if you are compliant or not.
There has been little discussion on alternatives and no advanced plans showing how reinvestment in walking, cycling and public transport will help people. Families with children find the use of buses expensive and not a viable option as they are the moment.
Roger Driver felt that the drivers of polluting 4x4 vehicles that drop off to public schools will just continue to do so as they can afford to pay the charge.
Additionally the point was raised around the access to the City Churches and Faith Organisations, many donations that are made at Sunday services are voluntary and heavily relied on.
Response
We would welcome a discussion with the faith community.
Sir Peter Heywood (Bath Christian Action Network / Genesis Trust) explained that there was a strong feeling that the poorer communities are going to be subject to a decision that will be made in the matter of a few weeks’ time. There needs to be an ongoing mechanism for capturing details about the individual circumstances of those who have fallen between the cracks.
Response
We would welcome a further conversation as we recognise that there are going to be a number of people that will have support needs.
We are presently working through all of the responses to the consultation as they come in, we do see that on 18th December we are only at the start of the next phase.