By Local Democracy Reporter John Wimperis: A plan to charge fire engines to drive into Bath’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) has been postponed.
Since the CAZ was introduced in 2021, emergency service vehicles and those used by voluntary groups in support of them have been exempt from paying the charge. But that exemption was only for four years and is set to end on March 14.
Now Bath and North East Somerset Council has said that it will not begin charging fire engines yet, extending the exemption for vehicles used by Avon Fire and Rescue Service beyond that date. It comes after it was revealed more than half of the service’s vehicles were still not CAZ compliant and the service does not expect all its vehicles to be until 2031.
In a statement on February 18, Bath and North East Somerset Council said: “As part of an extensive consultation all emergency services have been aware, since the start of the CAZ in 2021 that the exemption was due to end in March 2025.”
But it added: “We have agreed an extension of the current waiver period on CAZ charges on Avon Fire and Rescue Service vehicles beyond 15th March. However, we want to maintain our commitment to improving air quality in Bath and the CAZ is a key element of this work, with an expectation of compliance.
“We understand however that this requires Avon Fire and Rescue Service to make the necessary investment in vehicles. We have agreed that clear timelines for this should be included in any updated memorandum of understanding and welcome the service’s commitment to working with us to address these issues.”
The Avon Fire and Rescue — which serves B&NES, Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset — had told the Local Democracy Reporting Service earlier this month that it was “in negotiations” with the council over the issue. A report which went before the Avon Fire Authority committee on February 14, asking for the approval of £4.8m investment in its fleet, had warned that only 48% of its vehicles were expected to be CAZ compliant by March 2026.
Bath and North East Somerset Council’s newest councillor Chris Warren (Saltford, Independent), who won a council byelection by four votes in January, criticised the end of the exemption. He said: “As if the controversial Clear Air Zone wasn’t restrictive enough, the local authority now wants to charge those people who save the lives of others a ‘green tax’ to enter the city centre. I have deep, deep reservations about these proposals — especially as they could have an impact on responding to emergencies and fighting crime.”
The CAZ was launched in March 2021 at the request of the government to tackle levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution caused by traffic in the city. Private cars and motorbikes are not charged to enter the zone, no matter how polluting they are, although higher emission taxis and private hire cars are. The council gave financial assistance to more than 900 local drivers who needed to upgrade their vehicles to be compliant with the new requirements.
Despite the exemption extension for the fire service, other emergency vehicles which do not meet the required emissions standard still face being charged for responding to emergencies in the city. But the council has said it only expects a small number of vehicles to be affected.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Service earlier this month, deputy council leader Sarah Warren said: “Since 2019, Bath & North East Somerset Council has worked closely alongside emergency service providers to support them in reducing the impact of the introduction of a Clean Air Zone in Bath, including a four-year exemption from charges across whole fleets. This exemption has allowed emergency service organisations four additional years to consider the steps that could be taken to prepare for the end of the exemption, including vehicle upgrade, retrofit and fleet redistribution, and we are supportive of the changes that have been made to date.”
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: “We have been working closely with Bath & North East Somerset Council since the announcement of a Clean Air Zone in the city. This collaboration was a factor that informed our vehicle replacement plan.
“As a result, our fleet team has put cleaner and more efficient vehicles on the road. Our fleet now includes more than 200 hybrid and electric vehicles operating within local communities. In December 2024, Avon & Somerset Police won the Public Sector Car Fleet of the Year at the Green Fleet Awards. This accolade recognised our progress towards a zero-emission police fleet.
“The CAZ focuses on vans and larger HGVs falling below the Euro 6 emission standard. Vans and HGVs only make up less than a quarter of our fleet, of which approximately 75 per cent are Euro 6 compliant and can therefore continue to access Bath with no impact.
“This leaves 66 vehicles that would be subject to charge. Of these, half are due to be replaced imminently. For the remainder, we are confident that, by working with the council, we can mitigate any significant cost impact by sending alternate, compliant vehicles into the city whenever possible.
“Only one non-compliant vehicle remains stationed in Bath, and its replacement will be on the road before the exemption ends. We therefore believe the impact of the CAZ exemption to in Bath will therefore be limited for our fleet.”
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