Thousands of Bath residents have helped shape the development of a proposed clean air zone, with many arguing including cars in the restricted vehicles list would damage businesses.

Bath and North East Somerset Council considered a total of 8,421 responses to its consultation on the proposals - an “unprecedented” amount. There were 7,854 from members of the public and 567 from those who represent businesses or organisations.

Some urged the authority to scale back its proposals, warning that charging car drivers £9 a day to enter the zone would make essential journeys to supermarkets or hospitals difficult, reduce footfall and damage business, and hit low income groups hardest.

The Bath clean air zone could see drivers charged up to £10
The Bath clean air zone could see drivers charged up to £10

B&NES Council is now considering the adoption of a scheme in which cars will not be charged as its preferred option, but including them in the list of vehicles which will be charged, as a second option, has not been ruled out.

Under both options, higher-emission buses, coaches and lorries will be charged £100 a day to enter the clean air zone. Taxis and vans will be charged £9.

The charges will apply once in every 24-hour period (midnight to midnight) when entering or driving in the zone. They will apply seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Both options are forecast to bring nitrogen dioxide levels in the city within the legal limit by 2021.

B&NES Council’s clean air zone consultation closed on November 26.

A report by consultants Jacobs says there were a wide range of views.

It said: “There were calls for a bolder proposal, for higher charges, a larger zone or for vehicles to be completely banned from the city centre.”

Free public transport, a congestion charge, and a ban on vehicles in the city centre were all ideas put forward in response to the consultation.

Other responses called for an A36-A46 link and a new park and ride east of Bath to be built, but these are outside of the scope of the available funding.

Large vehicles will have to pay £100 to enter the Bath clean air zone under proposals
Large polluting vehicles will have to pay £100 to enter the Bath clean air zone under proposals

The Jacobs report says B&NES Council is looking to expand the three existing park and ride sites at Odd Down, Lansdown and Newbridge and is exploring options for a new facility east of Bath.

Council papers say the revenue will reduce “significantly” - to £18million - if car drivers are not charged, but it will “minimise the impacts on economic growth and development in Bath”.

The proposals will be considered by cabinet members on March 5.

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