Background

In November 2021, a Government mandated Clean Air Zone (CAZ) was created in Portsmouth, specifically the southwestern region of Portsea Island. This CAZ is a class B that charges all buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles (PHVs) and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) that do not meet the Euro 6 emission standards for diesel and Euro 4 for petrol. Newer and cleaner vehicles, as well as personal cars and vans, are exempt from these charges.

The aim of this CAZ B is to bring air quality exceedances within legal limits in the shortest possible time.

Where we are

Portsmouth Clean Air Zone has been operational since November 2021, and the Government’s assessment shows that it is not yet meeting air quality standards. This means the Government requires the Clean Air Zone to remain in place.

Portsmouth City Council monitors air quality at 230 locations, with the majority being well within legal air quality limits. However, there are three areas that continue to have pollution levels above the limits set by the Government and a further nine that also continue to be at risk of exceeding.

What we are doing

Portsmouth City Council is part of a local area partnership that has received close to £140 million in external funding to help transform bus travel across the city and wider region, through the Bus Service Improvement Plan. This aims to increase the number of people using the bus to above pre pandemic levels, by creating faster and more reliable bus routes, making bus tickets more affordable and launching the first electric buses.

In addition to this the council is improving cycling and walking routes as well as providing rental e-scooters and bikes which can be rented through the Breeze app. Also, the newly launched car club provides more affordable shared access to a car for when people need it. This gives people more ways to travel that keeps the air in Portsmouth cleaner.

We are also delivering the next stage of our behavioural change campaign – We need Cleaner Air – at key locations across the city, building on previous successful Cough Cough Engine Off marketing campaigns. Citywide advertising is taking place both across Portsmouth and at or close by the Clean Air Zone and other Air Quality Management Areas, targeting pollution hotspots on key arterial routes and high traffic areas. The campaign emphasises the harm to health and aims to show that buses, walking and cycling are all viable options.

Next steps

As a local authority that has not yet met the air quality standards but is striving to do so , we are currently working in collaboration with the government Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) to undertake a targeted feasibility study. This is a prescribed process which looks at the case for change, undertakes an options appraisal, and develops a shortlist of feasible and deliverable measures that can deliver the required reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels to below legal limits in the shortest possible time. This work is underway but not expected to complete until towards the end of 2024.

We will continue to provide updates when there is news to our stakeholders via the Cleaner Air website