Leeds City Council have began consultations over the proposed Clean Air Zone. As things stand, the proposal is that buses, coaches, HGV, taxis and private hire diesel vehicles that don’t meet Euro 6 standard, will have to pay to enter the city centre. Petrol vehicles that don’t meet at least Euro 4 standard will also be subject to charges to enter the zone.
Clean Air Zone Challenges
The Clean Air Zone proposal stemmed from Leeds being named as one of the cities that needed to reduce Nitrogen Dioxide emissions. Plans are in place to bring in charging from October 2018. The zone would cover all roads within the outer ring road with the M1 and M62 as the south-eastern boundary. Charging proposals have been recommended as £12.50 per day for taxi and private hire vehicles which would add a significant overhead to any business who operate higher polluting vehicles.
As things stand, the proposal is that buses, coaches, HGV, taxis and private hire diesel vehicles that don’t meet Euro 6 standard, will have to pay to enter the city centre.
Taxi Trade Investment Needed
The new measures are likely to force many cabbies to invest in newer vehicles if they wish to remain in business. It is thought that sales of hybrid vehicles will increase as a result of the proposals as will the latest generation purpose built hackney taxis. As the proposed pollution tax could potentially add over £4,500 for each vehicle, using this money towards a cleaner and safer model may prove to be the more prudent option. The Clean Air Zone proposed may still be getting scoped out, but it will have a strong impact on the transport strategy in the years ahead.