Why does Bradford need a Clean Air Zone?

We have a moral, environmental and legal responsibility to make Bradford’s air cleaner

Parts of the District were found to have higher than the legal limits of nitrogen dioxide, a gas known to contribute to a range of health issues, and to aggravate existing respiratory diseases such as asthma.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels in the City Centre in 2018 (areas in red exceed legal limits)

Bradford, like many other local authorities in the UK has been required by the government to produce an air quality plan to show how it plans to bring the levels of nitrogen dioxide within legal limits in the shortest possible time.

Air quality monitoring studies have identified a Clean Air Zone as the most effective method of reducing nitrogen dioxide and improving air quality, as quickly as possible.

Bradford will be a cleaner, safer, happier place to live, work and play

Our District is already benefitting from positive changes, including improvements to bus infrastructure, walking routes and cycle paths. Now, the Clean Air Zone will reduce air pollution, support people and businesses to upgrade their vehicles and help us become a healthier, more sustainable and inclusive city.

• Bradford district now has one of the cleanest and best taxi fleets in the country with 92% of taxis being compliant, with the support of £4m of electric vehicle grants to achieve a 25% electric fleet.
• We have seen the upgrade or replacement of over 370 buses ensuring all scheduled and tendered services meet Clean Air Zone standard. 33 new electric buses will start running busy routes next year.
• £8.4m in grants have been allocated to assist businesses to upgrade over 20% of all lorries registered in the District
• Over 3,400 grants have been applied for in the funding categories (HGV, Bus, Coach, LGV, Minibus and Taxis.)

There will be more electric vehicles and the number of noncompliant vans, lorries, taxis and buses will fall. As more people switch to cleaner vehicles or change the way they travel, air quality will improve throughout the city and not just in the zone (see further information below and check the air quality where you live or work).

Our air quality plan will bring levels of nitrogen dioxide within legal limits five years more quickly than without introducing a Clean Air Zone without intervention. Find out more about the Born in Bradford Health Research.