Coventry congestion charge latest as council deadline looms

A petition opposing the introduction of a Clean Air Zone in Coventry has surpassed 2,000 signatures, as the deadline for Coventry council to respond to the government looms.

The online petition was launched by former Coventry MP and councillor Dave Nellist against the government’s imposition of a charging zone.

Mr Nellist, who leads the city’s Socialist Party, said the group has collected more than 300 signatures from paper petitions taken to the city centre over several weekends.

The authority, which is strongly against charging drivers to enter the city, has been set a deadline of Friday, June 14, to respond to the government.

Mr Nellist, who will hand over the petition to the council on the same day, said: “Improving our environment certainly needs dramatic action, but a congestion charge is punishment by taxation, rather than a serious attempt to tackle the problem.

“If the government is serious about cleaning our air let’s see a major programme of public investment into electric public transport and vehicles. 

“Incentives for people to change, and time to plan for change, are needed – not punishment for those who will struggle to afford the change.

“We will continue to campaign for a socialist solution of clean, cheap and frequent public transport, together with public investment into clean vehicles making them affordable to all.”

A map of an indicative zone drawn up by the council has shown it could impact 80,000 residents who live in the area.

If imposed, the most polluting cars, LGVs and taxis could pay £8 per day, while HGVs and buses could pay £50, according to a council sensitivity test.

The clean air zone has been ordered in Coventry in a bid to reduce illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide “as soon as possible”.

Council officials met with the government last week and are still hopeful of submitting a revised plan that reduces pollution without the need of a clean air zone.

Cabinet member for jobs and regeneration councillor Jim O’Boyle has previously said a clean air zone would be “economically disastrous” for the city.

The authority’s original plan to reduce pollution included encouraging electric-powered taxis, cleaner engines on 100 buses, new walking and cycling routes, road closures and traffic restrictions.

The petition can be viewed here.

 

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