3 December 2020
With parts of Oxford city centre affected by illegally high levels of air pollution, Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council are inviting responses to a planned zero emission zone (ZEZ) pilot in the city centre starting next August. The ZEZ would be implemented through a road user charging scheme, which means vehicles used in the zone would be subject to charges, depending on their emissions. The deadline for responses to the consultation is 17 January 2021.
Under the proposals, zero emission vehicles would be able to drive in the zone free of charge and there would be discounts and exemptions for some road users, including disabled motorists, residents and businesses in the zone, together with reduced charges for Clean Air Zone compliant vehicles.
The pilot is due to start on Bonn Square, Queen Street, Cornmarket, part of Market Street, Ship Street, St Michael’s Street, New Inn Hall Street, and Shoe Lane in August 2021, in the so-called “red zone”. A wider ZEZ covering the rest of the city centre will be introduced in spring 2022 under the proposals.
Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council are asking for feedback after a previous consultation was paused due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
For more information about the consultation, see the OCC web page.
