Bristol could be first city to completely ban diesel cars

Bristol City Council is considering a number of recommendations to clean the city’s air, including a small area diesel ban for all privately owned vehicles and a charging zone for non-compliant commercial vehicles such as buses, taxis, HGVs and LGVs.

Considering barring diesel cars from a centre part of the city in an effort to improve air quality could see Bristol become the first city in the UK to ban diesel vehicles.

Under the proposal, diesel vehicles will be banned from entering a central section between 7am and 3pm every day. The second, wider zone would then affect commercial vehicles, including buses and taxis.

Further measures for tackling air quality through improving and prioritising public transport options are also suggested, which support the Mayor of Bristol’s pledge to reduce the reliance on cars and increase the number of bus users. A car scrappage scheme would also be launched, which would help diesel car owners purchase an alternative vehicle.

Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, said: “These ambitious plans demonstrate our commitment to tackling air pollution so we meet legal limits within the shortest time, without disproportionally affecting citizens on lower incomes which would happen with a blanket approach to charging vehicles.

“Protecting the most vulnerable people from pollution is central to these plans and we have ensured that all impacts have been carefully considered. If approved, mitigation measures will support those most affected, especially those living in the most deprived communities.”