Bradford Clean Air Zone (CAZ) charges branded 'disgraceful'

The Council has defended itself in the wake of criticism from one driver who received two separate CAZ fines and another who complained about discrepancies in vehicle emissions.

A Bradford Council spokesperson said CAZ "criteria was set by Government and not something within the control of Bradford Council".  

The Clean Air Zone was introduced in September 2022 after a “ministerial direction” from Government to Bradford Council issued in 2018, ordering the reduction in the illegal levels of pollution in the city to legal levels as soon as possible.

Former Bradford resident Rob Fielding said: "I used to live in Bradford but I live in Shropshire now, so I was none the wiser about CAZ.

Rob Fielding show two Clean Air Zone fine documents (Image: UGC)

"I only get to see my friends in Otley once a year and I drive through Bradford on the way there.

"They hit me on the way off the motorway. I drove on the M606 and couldn't turn around. I didn't see any signage on the M62.

"I then got caught near Peel Park on my way back.

A sign in the Bradford Clean Air Zone (Image: Newsquest)

"These fines were about £70 each. I'm not in a position to pay that sort of money and my appeals were unsuccessful.

"It's disgraceful. Why tax honest people who want to make a living?"

Another person talked about discrepancies in vehicle emissions.

The resident said: "I have two vehicles, a 2007 Volkswagen diesel caddy van and a 2004 Volkswagen diesel Polo.

"The van is cleaner than the car by merits of the vehicle ages but the van pays and car does not, typical of a short-sighted Council.

"I have now stopped working for companies who need me to drive through the CAZ.

"I will also review visits to theatres, cinemas, restaurants etc for my entertainment, going to Leeds or York without passing through or visiting Bradford."

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: "We cannot comment on individual cases but we can say that all signage for the Clean Air Zone is designed and positioned in accordance with Government guidance. There are 3,700 signs in place along major access routes positioned to give warning of approach to CAZ, entering CAZ, within the CAZ and exiting the CAZ.

"At the area near the M606 there is a large sign at the top of the M606 before entering the roundabout, notifying drivers which routes are included in the CAZ off that roundabout. Drivers then pass a further two large signs on the roundabout at the top of the M606 notifying them that Rooley Lane is in the CAZ. The roundabout itself at the top of the M606 is not in the CAZ.

"The DVLA classifies the vehicle type and this can be seen on the vehicle V5C document provided by them.  

"The criteria for the vehicle types is set by Government and not something within the control of Bradford Council.  

"The CAZ is operated using the national Government system, as all CAZs around the country have to be.

"All Bradford district residents and businesses are eligible to apply for exemptions for non-compliant vehicles, this means that they will not pay to drive in the Bradford CAZ.

"Passenger cars are not charged to drive in the CAZ regardless of their use and where they come from in the country.

"No passenger cars and less than 2.5 per cent of commercial vehicles are affected by Clean Air Zone charges.

"The Clean Air Zone is designed to discourage entry by non-compliant vehicles, thus reducing emissions from these older commercial vehicles.

"The largest improvements will be at schools, 40 per cent of the district’s schools are within the zone, many on busy roads.

"One in five of Bradford’s children suffer with breathing problems and the zone will reduce pollution and improve health."

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