We live in UK city copying London's ULEZ - why it's £17m well spent
EXCLUSIVE: Only London and Birmingham have generated more than Bradford through Clean Air Zones. Residents of the city expect authorities to reinvest the money wisely.
Bradford’s Clean Air Zone has raised more money than any other except for London and Birmingham, according to figures released in a freedom of information request.
The scheme, which is aimed at large and commercial vehicles, has generated £16,762,799 through fines and charges since its introduction in September 2022.
Unlike in other cities, Bradford’s scheme does not charge cars, which has perhaps contributed to fewer opposition and protests that other cities have experienced when implementing theirs.
Motorists in Bradford were surprised at the high figures generated by the scheme but had little opposition to it, providing the local authority reinvested the money as promised.
Graham Caldwell who lives in the area said: “I have asthma so I’m quite glad they’re trying to do something to clean the air.
“But I don’t want them to be doing it to line their pockets, they need to spend it on something useful.”
Mr Caldwell’s opinion was shared by several motorists who spoke to the Express.co.uk.
Bradford Council has vowed to “reinvest Clean Air Zone revenue to promote cycling encourage modal shift, reduce short distance travel by private car and improve air quality and health.”
The council has already reinvested part of the money in a scheme that has helped schools in the district reduce their exposure to air pollution and encouraged children and parents to utilise active travel methods.
The Clean Air Schools Programme has funded projects that include cycle storage, safe bike paths, bike servicing, learn to ride schemes for parents and children, creating active travel maps and understanding safe routes to cycle to school.
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Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council's Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “The future for Bradford district is exciting as the sustainable transport systems are improving across the district with cycling playing a significant role in achieving our net zero aims.
“Several cycle network schemes will be coming to fruition to coincide with the launch of the E-Bike Hire Scheme providing cycle infrastructure for residents, workers and visitors to the district.
“We are therefore pleased to bring forward these plans to use CAZ funds to offer an E-Bike hire scheme. We want everyone to be able to utilise the opportunities to enjoy active travel. To have the scheme up and running for the UK City of Culture year is really exciting.”
Across the country, clean air zones have generated over a billion pounds through in charges and fines.
Unsurprisingly, London is the biggest earner having accumulated £875 million since the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) was brought in by Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Birmingham has generated £125 million since its introduction in 2021 which forced drivers to pay a £8 daily charge if a diesel car isn't Euro 6 or petrol isn't at least Euro 4.
Figures are much more modest elsewhere, with Bath, Tyneside and Sheffield air zones raising an accumulated figure of £22 million.
Revenue Generated by Clean Air Zones
London - £875 million
Birmingham - £125 million
Bradford - £17 million
Bath – 15 million
Tyneside £4.6 million
Sheffield – £2.8 million
Oxford - £1.9 million
Portsmouth - £1.5 million
Glasgow - £1.2 million
Dundee - £43,320
