A BUSINESSMAN has claimed the Bradford Clean Air Zone (CAZ) penalises van drivers and the fines are costing businesses.

"I'm really concerned about the way things are going," said Dale Watson, owner of Dalec UK Ltd, which is based on Highfield Lane in Keighley.

"SMS businesses are just getting over struggles of Covid and now they are not allowed to drive in Bradford without running into the CAZ."

Mr Watson explained that Dalec, a security company, has a small fleet of vans, and all but one is compliant with the Bradford CAZ.

"We do remind them about the CAZ, but our guys keep forgetting and they drive through it.

"We keep getting these fines. We've had four so far.

"These fines affect our business and a lot of other businesses.

"The CAZ has come at a time when a lot of businesses are going bust."

He also said the CAZ is biased against van drivers and he wished "everyone was treated the same".

Mr Watson, who is a member of the Campaign Against CAZ Tax in Bradford, said he is planning on joining others at a protest in Bradford Centenary Square at 12 noon on Saturday, March 4.

"People are going mad about CAZ," he said. "I'm doing it to support other businesses."

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: "Bradford Council cannot comment on individual cases but can offer the following information: "The Bradford Clean Air Zone works in the same way as the other Clean Air Zones across the country.

"It is the vehicle user’s responsibility to check their vehicle compliance status and pay any charge due via the Government’s Central Service.

"Any business in the Bradford district can apply for up to three vehicle exemptions from CAZ charges.

"If vehicles are regularly paying to drive in the Bradford Clean Air Zone, grants are still available to help businesses replace vehicles with a cleaner compliant one or adapt (retrofit or repower) the vehicle so that it meets the required emission standards.

"Trucks, vans, motorhomes or campervans with Diesel Euro 6, Petrol Euro 4 or cleaner emission standards are compliant and will not be charged to drive in the Clean Air Zone.

"If owners or registered keepers of non-compliant vehicles can demonstrate arrangements to replace or modify such vehicles to comply with the Bradford CAZ emission standards but are awaiting delivery or modification by a third-party supplier they can apply for a “sunset” exemption which will mean they will not pay to drive in the Clean Air Zone.

"We would encourage anyone who is unsure about any aspect of the Clean Air Zone to call our team for factual advice about their specific situation on 01274 435533. We always try to help."

 

Have you got a story for us? Email newsdesk@telegraphandargus.co.uk or contact us here, or WhatsApp us on 07720403052.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

You can also call us on 01274 705292.