Coventry, UK: The government’s rejection of a charging Clean Air Zone in Coventry has been welcomed by road transport organisations as a welcome boost for local business.
Chris Yarsley, policy manager for the Midlands, Freight Transport Association, said: “A charging CAZ would have been the very worst option for Coventry; it would have damaged the local economy while failing to deliver long-term improvements to the city’s air quality.
He said the government is right to rule that other solutions, such as including intelligent road design, using electric buses and more cycling routes, will more quickly deliver more sustainable improvements to air quality without penalising local businesses.
“After all, vehicles operating in the city will reach the emission standards required to enter a CAZ within a few years due to the natural fleet replacement cycles,” Yarsley said.
“As the business organisation representing the logistics sector, FTA worked closely with officials from Coventry City Council to ensure the concerns of our members were heard during their decision-making process; we are pleased they have taken our advice on board. We will now liaise with the Council to ensure its package of air quality measures allow commercial fleet operators continued access to the city, so they can continue to deliver the goods and services residents and businesses need every day.”
