A Clean Air Zone (CAZ) is a defined area where targeted action is taken to improve air quality.
Through the use of a daily charge for entering the zone, the Council will encourage affected vehicle owners to consider upgrading their vehicles to compliant standards.
There are various classes of CAZ, ranging from Class A to D, which set the level of restrictions which apply to vehicles.
Restrictions for the lowest class A of CAZ set emission standards for buses, coaches and taxis through to the highest class D which includes all vehicles including cars, vans and heavy goods vehicles.
Bradford is a C+ zone to ensure we meet the legal limits for pollution in the district. This is based on a Class C Clean Air Zone which means there could be charges for all non-compliant vehicle types with the exception of passenger cars. Passenger cars will not include private hire cars which will be subject to the daily charge if not compliant.
All other vehicles including private hire taxis are subject to the daily charge if not compliant. Taxis are 10% of the vehicle movements in the City. Private hire vehicles need to be Euro 5/6 petrol hybrid to be compliant in the Bradford Clean Air Zone.
Bradford is Class C+ Clean Air Zone which means there will be charges for all non-compliant vehicle types with the exception of passenger cars. All other vehicles including private hire cars are subject to the daily charge if not compliant. Taxis are 10% of the vehicle movements in the City. Private hire vehicles need to be Euro 5/6 petrol hybrid to be compliant in the Bradford Clean Air Zone.
In cities with Class C Clean Air Zones there is a Euro 6 diesel standard for taxis with typical grants of £1,000-£1,500 per vehicle to upgrade to a ~six year old vehicle.
Petrol hybrid vehicles are much cleaner meaning that older, more affordable vehicles can be purchased to meet our Class C+ compliance, this combined with a £3,200 upfront grant and reduced running costs means that the Bradford taxi drivers will see a reduction in the cost of meeting the Bradford standard, when compared with other cities.
The table below shows the requirements for private hire vehicles to be compliant with the C+ Class of Clean Air Zone.
| Private hire vehicle | Euro 6 Diesel |
Euro 4 Petrol |
Euro 4 Petrol / LPG |
Euro 5 Petrol / LPG |
Euro 5/6 Petrol Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 passenger seat PHV (Non WAV) |
No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| 5 to 8 passenger seat PHV (non WAV) |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wheelchair accessible PHV |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hackney Carriage | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The Bradford zone covers the area inside, and including, the Bradford outer ring road and will also extend out along the Aire valley corridor, (Manningham Lane/Bradford Road and Canal Road area) to include Shipley and Saltaire. The zone will be clearly signposted from outside the area. See the map and read more here.
Cleaner air has health benefits for everyone, but especially for the elderly and young children, as well as those with existing health conditions. Pollutants in the air that have been traced to vehicles can lead to respiratory infections, decreased lung function, heart problems, and can worsen symptoms of asthma. Removing or limiting the number of polluting vehicles that can enter a city or town centre will improve its air quality, having a positive impact on the health of those living and working there
Clean Air Zones can also help accelerate the uptake of low or zero emission vehicles, such as electric vehicles. Pure electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions, and studies show they emit significantly less carbon than petrol or diesel vehicles.
The introduction of a CAZ may also encourage you to consider using public transport or walking/cycling to make your next journey, instead of driving. Public transport reduces congestion and improves local air quality, as well as helping you to be more active by walking between the stop and your destination. Walking and cycling are simple ways to stay healthy - just half an hour of walking a day can increase your heart and lung fitness, while reducing the risk of chronic and cardiovascular disease. Cycling in cities and towns can even be faster than public transport or driving.
Every ward in Bradford will benefit from cleaner air. There will be more electric taxis and the number of noncompliant vans, lorries, taxis and buses will fall. As a result, air quality will improve across the district, both inside and outside the Clean Air Zone boundary.
Health research in Bradford has indicated that the largest health benefits will be felt by the most deprived communities in the City. The Clean Air Plan will bring levels of nitrogen dioxide within legal limits five years more quickly than without intervention.
The Bradford Clean Air Zone has been live since 26 September 2022.
Passenger car owners (not including private hire cars) will not be charged for entering the zone.
HGV, Coaches, buses, LGV, minibuses, Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles are liable for the charge if they are not compliant with the Clean Air Zone vehicle standard.
The charges for entering the zone will be:
Payment must be made online at www.gov.uk/clean-air-zones or by calling the National Contact Centre on 0300 029 8888 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, and Saturday, 8am to 4pm).
You can pay 6 days before the day of your visit, on the day of your visit or up to 6 days after the day of your visit.
A 'day' is classified as midnight to midnight, not 24 hours from when you enter the zone. During that midnight to midnight timeframe, you can enter and leave the zone numerous times and only incur a single charge. However if you cross the midnight threshold you will be charged for two days.
The council is providing funding for a range of grants and exemption schemes to provide financial support to Bradford businesses. Find out more about help that is available for Bradford businesses and also information for residents here.
Exemptions cannot be transferred from one vehicle to another. If you change your vehicle for any reason, the exemption for your old vehicle will be cancelled and cannot be transferred to another vehicle. if your replacement vehicle is not compliant with the CAZ emissions standards you will need to pay the CAZ daily charges. We advise you check any vehicle for charges prior to purchase on the Government website, www.gov.uk/clean-air-zones.
For more information on the Clean Air Zone and the support schemes please register for the Council’s Clean Air newsletter at the top of the page. Further updates on the Clean Air Zone and support schemes will also be published on these webpages.
