Bath extended the fire service exemption from Clean Air Zone charges. Full compliance is expected by 2031.
The council changed its mind about charging fire engines and extended Avon Fire and Rescue’s exemption. Half of the service’s vehicles aren’t CAZ compliant, and the service expects full compliance by 2031.
The council said everyone knew the exemption would end and that they still want to improve Bath’s air quality. The Clean Air Zone is crucial to that goal, and they expect the fire service to comply soon. The fire service needs to invest in compliant vehicles, and the council wants clear timelines for this investment. They also want to update their agreement with the fire service.
Avon Fire and Rescue serves several areas and had been negotiating with the council. A report showed only 48% compliant vehicles by 2026. They requested £4.8 million to invest in their fleet.
A new councillor criticized ending the exemption, and he thinks the “green tax” is too restrictive. He worries about emergency response times being slower.
The zone started in 2021 to cut pollution, and traffic creates nitrogen dioxide pollution there. Cars and motorbikes aren’t charged to enter it. Taxis with higher emissions do pay.
The council aided 900+ drivers to upgrade their vehicles. Other non-compliant emergency vehicles face charges, but the council believes this will affect only a small number of them.
The council worked with emergency services since 2019, helping them reduce the zone’s impact. The four-year exemption let them plan improvements, upgrade vehicles, or redistribute the fleet.
Police have worked with the council on the Clean Air Zone, which influenced their vehicle replacement plan. This led to the addition of cleaner, more efficient vehicles. Over 200 hybrid and electric vehicles are now used, and the police won an award for their zero-emission fleet progress.
The zone impacts larger vehicles below the Euro 6 standard, and these are only a quarter of their fleet. About 75% of these are already compliant.
Sixty-six police vehicles would be subject to the charge, and half of them are due for replacement soon. They will work with the council to reduce costs and send compliant vehicles when possible. Only one non-compliant vehicle is stationed in Bath now; its replacement will be ready before the exemption ends. The police believe the impact on their fleet will be limited.