Evidence shows that exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in outdoor air has adverse effects on health, including lung function, asthma prevalence, respiratory symptoms, cancer incidence and adverse birth outcomes, and results in reduced life expectancy . Every year, between 28,000-36,000 deaths in the UK are thought to be caused by air pollution . In many cities and urban areas, high NO2 emissions are measured as a result of large numbers of high-polluting vehicles driving in, and through, the area.
The UK Government’s Environment Act 2021 requires local authorities in the UK to take action to improve air quality in their area. Local authorities are using a range of measures to encourage people to reconsider their travel options and reduce vehicle usage in urban areas, in order to help reduce NO2 emissions and the negative health impacts. With a population of over 200,000, and areas with high pollutant emissions, Portsmouth City Council has been working to improve its air quality and was mandated by the government to introduce a Clean Air Zone.
In a government bid to help limit vehicle emissions and accelerate improvements to air quality for city residents, many local authorities have been required to introduce Clean Air Zones – designated areas which require high-emitting vehicles to pay a charge to enter. The charge acts as a deterrent, encouraging vehicles not to drive in the area, and government funding that accompanies the scheme incentivises individuals and businesses to upgrade or retrofit their vehicles to a compliant standard. Clean Air Zones are customised to reflect the city or area they are based in, and some charge private cars to encourage travel behaviour change and the shift to using public transport, walking and cycling to access more polluted areas of cities. Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras are used to scan number plates as vehicles drive into and through the areas, and enforcement letters are issued to those who have not paid the charge.
In 2021, after extensive modelling, Portsmouth City Council was required by government to introduce a Class B Clean Air Zone, which charges non-compliant buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles and heavy goods vehicles. The Clean Air Zone was intended to help deliver the city's air quality goal, with AtkinsRéalis’ experts helping to develop the business case, business processes and systems architecture, undertaking systems integration and testing, and ensuring a seamless launch. Working side by side with the council’s teams, AtkinsRéalis experts supported the council to evaluate the potential options, consider the behavioural changes needed, and to develop a tailored solution that met their complex needs.
Applying their deep understanding of complex transport systems, including congestion and road charging, and of payment regimes, processes, enforcement and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) interfaces, the AtkinsRéalis’ team ensured integration between multiple stakeholders. They were able to identify the risks, smooth out the challenges, and accelerate delivery of the Clean Air Zone.
Through offering end-to-end support to the council, from concept to delivery, the AtkinsRéalis team assisted the council to introduce the Clean Air Zone seamlessly and address NO2 emissions in key areas which could lead to health and wellbeing benefits for the people of Portsmouth. Following on from AtkinsRéalis’ work in Portsmouth, a number of additional local authorities have approached the company, and are drawing upon its experience from this successful project to inform the templates for their own Clean Air Zones.
Grants through the Clean Air Fund have also been awarded to several organisations, enabling them to replace their vehicles with cleaner models, including almost all the taxis and private hire vehicles that operate in the city. Communications continue to encourage residents to travel in more sustainable ways and lower their engine idling.
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