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Bristol’s Clean Air Zone ULEZ
The Government set legal limits for pollution and we have introduced a Clean Air Zone to ensure Bristol meets those limits within the shortest possible time. Bristol’s zone is now live. You must pay to drive within the zone if your vehicle does not meet the zone’s emission standards, unless you have an exemption.
What a ULEZ Clean Air Zone is, why we need one
The Government has set legal limits for pollution and we have introduced a Clean Air Zone to ensure Bristol meets those limits within the shortest possible time. A major source of air pollution in cities is road traffic, particularly diesel engines.
What’s happening
Bristol’s Clean Air Zone is now live and operational (as of 28 November 2022). The council has a package of financial support to help residents and businesses adapt to the changes to tackle pollution in the city.
What a Clean Air Zone is
A Clean Air Zone is a specific location that aims to reduce public exposure to nitrogen dioxide through:
- restrictions on the highest polluting vehicles
- encouraging the use of cleaner vehicles
- encouraging people to walk, cycle or use public transports
Bristol has a small CAZ D Clean Air Zone. Find about the four different types of zones Go to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/driving-in-a-clean-air-zone#types-of-clean-air-zones (opens new window) (GOV.UK).
No vehicles are banned from entering a Clean Air Zone but older and more polluting vehicles have to pay a daily charge for travelling within the zone.
View a map of Bristol’s Clean Air Zone
ULEZ choice of Clean Air Zone and the area covered. It offers a balance between improving air quality and the need to support businesses as much as possible.
How the zone has been designed
The size of the zone and its boundary has been designed to meet air quality targets in the central area where air quality is worst in the shortest possible time.
The zone is intended to encourage drivers and businesses to either update their vehicles, change their route, change their mode, or not make the trip.
The Cumberland Basin and Portway are in the zone because they are main routes into the city. Removing these areas from the zone would affect how quickly air quality falls to within legal limits.
The Clean Air Zone also includes:
- loans and grants to help people switch to a cleaner vehicle or less polluting forms of transport
- changes to traffic signal timings to improve traffic flows
- increased priority for buses, such as bus lanes and priority at traffic signals
The charge does not apply to:
- Euro 4, 5 and 6 petrol vehicles, roughly to vehicles made from 2006 onwards
- Euro 6 diesel vehicles, roughly vehicles from 2015 onwards
Check your vehicle
Bristol’s Clean Air Zone started on Monday 28 November 2022 , you’ll need to pay a charge if your vehicle doesn’t meet the zone’s emission standards unless you have an exemption. You can use the government’s checking tool to check if you will be charged to drive your vehicle in Bristol’s Clean Air Zone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What a Clean Air Zone is, why we need one
The Government has set legal limits for pollution and we have introduced a Clean Air Zone to ensure Bristol meets those limits within the shortest possible time. A major source of air pollution in cities is road traffic, particularly diesel engines.
Air pollution affects everyone in Bristol, especially:
- children
- older people
- people with heart, breathing and underlying health conditions
We measure the average concentration of nitrogen dioxide over a calendar year to see if we meet the current legal limits for air pollution.
What happens to the Clean Air Zone revenue
Clean Air Zone charges are collected by central government. The costs of running the central system are taken out and what's left is returned to us to cover the cost of running the zone.
We'll invest the surplus revenue into transport improvements to make it easier for people to walk, cycle and use public transport.
What happens if you don't pay ULEZ charge?
If you don't pay or appeal your PCN within 28 days, a Charge Certificate will be issued and the penalty charge will increase to £180 plus the Clean Air Zone charge.
When does the Bristol clean air zone charge start?
Bristol’s Clean Air Zone started on Monday 28 November 2022.
Is there financial support for the Bristol ULEZ
Interest in our support scheme has been high and we are applying for further funding from government so that we can support more individuals and businesses in Bristol. You can still express your interest in our financial assistance scheme, but we cannot guarantee that you will receive funding at this stage.
Register your interest for financial support on the Bristol City Council website.
