Get Ready for Bath’s Clean Air Zone

Bath’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) starts from midnight on Monday 15th March to urgently tackle air pollution in the city.

From this date, you may have to pay to drive in the zone if you own a higher emission taxi, private hire vehicle, minibus, van (including pick-up and campervan), light goods vehicle, bus, coach or HGV. Private cars and motorbikes will not be charged in Bath but may be charged in other zones.

Check if You’ll Be Charged

You will only need to pay to drive in Bath’s CAZ if your vehicle does not meet required emission standards. Please check if you need to pay using the vehicle registration checker. The service will also tell you whether a national exemption applies.

Required Emission Standards

Euro 6 diesel vehicles, euro 4 (or newer) petrol vehicles, fully electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and hybrid vehicles all meet the required emission standard.

Pre euro 6/VI diesel vehicles (euro 1 to 5/V or earlier) and pre euro 4 petrol vehicles (euro 1 to 3 or earlier) do not meet the required emission standards and will be subject to charges.

What Are the Charges and When Do They Apply?

The zone will operate 24 hours a day (midnight to midnight), seven days a week, all year round.

• Higher emission taxis, private hire vehicles, minibuses, LGVs and vans (including pick-ups and campervans): £9 a day
• Higher emission buses, coaches and HGVs: £100 a day
• Larger, higher emission horse transporters and motorhomes (classed as private heavy goods vehicles): reduced rate of £9 a day, provided the vehicle is registered with Bath ans North East Somerset Council at least 14 days ahead of its journey. Otherwise the charge is £100

How to Pay

If charges apply then you must pay within seven days of driving in the zone or you could receive a penalty charge notice.

Discounted and exempt journeys are managed using the Council’s MiPermit app or website. More information is available here. 

What Support Is Available?

Drivers affected by charges are advised to check the council’s website for a list of local exemptions and whether or not they are eligible for financial support to upgrade their vehicle or fleet. 

The financial support scheme can provide grants and/or interest-free finance to help those regularly affected by charges to upgrade or replace non-compliant vehicles. Those who have premises and/or regularly drive in the zone, can apply. In light of COVID-19, the support scheme is giving additional help to some businesses.

A wide range of local exemptions is also available for hard-to-replace or special vehicles, and to support disadvantaged groups and vital services in the city.

Why Does Bath Need a Clean Air Zone?

Bath's Clean Air Zone is being introduced to help the city meet UK air quality legislation. Several places in Bath currently exceed the annual legal limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution which is mainly caused by diesel and older petrol vehicles. This situation is unacceptable because of the role that poor air quality plays in damaging health locally, and in the Climate Emergency more widely.

In Bath and North East Somerset, around 12,000 people suffer from asthma, and high concentrations of NO2 can trigger attacks. Over the longer term, high levels of NO2 contribute to reduced lung development in children and are linked to an increased possibility of heart attacks and dementia in older people.

While the city is not charging private cars, the council is currently looking at lots of ways to improve walking, cycling and public transport to encourage more people to choose more sustainable ways of getting around. 

Bath Clean Air Zone Toolkit 

Bath and North East Somerset Council has created a Bath Clean Air Zone Toolkit for businesses to use on their own digital channels.

Optional accompanying social media post:

Bath’s Clean Air Zone starts from midnight on Monday 15th March. Daily charges will apply to some vehicles to help tackle harmful air pollution. Private cars will not be charged. To check if you need to pay, go to www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathCAZ  #CleanAirZone

From 15th March:

Charging has started in Bath’s Clean Air Zone. Daily charges apply to some vehicles to help tackle harmful air pollution. Private cars will not be charged. To check if you need to pay, go to www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathCAZ  #CleanAirZone

A map of the zone is below; the Toolkit contains a higher res version:

If you have any questions about using the material supplied here, please email Jan Fletcher, or call on +44 (0)7866 484996.