Zero Emission Zone Pilot approved for Oxford

Oxford’s proposed Zero Emission Zone pilot has now been formally approved by Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet for launch in August.

The decision by the county council as the transport authority now means the scheme can proceed after it was approved by Oxford City Council’s Cabinet last week as the joint partner in the scheme.

Oxford will be one of the first places in Britain to introduce a ZEZ, aiming to reduce toxic air pollution levels, help tackle the climate emergency and improve the health of residents, workers and visitors in Oxford and beyond. The ZEZ pilot will restrict polluting vehicles from key city centre streets during the day. Those who drive polluting vehicles into the zone will be charged a fee, with the level of the charge dependent on how polluting the vehicle is.

The ZEZ pilot is the first phase of the Zero Emission Zone. It will allow both councils to gain useful experience and information before introducing a larger Zero Emission Zone covering most of Oxford city centre in 2022, subject to further public consultation. It is intended that the restrictions and exemptions applied within the pilot will be the same in the expanded ZEZ.

Tom Hayes, deputy leader and Cabinet Member for Green Transport and Zero Carbon Oxford, Oxford City Council, said: “Air pollution weakens our lungs and makes it harder to breathe. Dirty air cuts short life and our quality of life, and it's just not on. Giving Britain's first Zero Emission Zone the green light is a game-changer, a way of improving public health but also social justice because it is the poorest citizens who are most affected by toxic air. As the UK's first council to set an air quality target which is tougher and tighter than the government's own, the Zero Emission Zone will help us to provide the cleanest air that Oxford residents will have ever known.”