Latest news with #AvonFireAuthority
Telegraph
15-02-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Ambulances charged for entering clean-air zone
Police cars, fire engines and ambulances responding to life-and-death 999 calls are to be charged for entering a Somerset low-traffic neighbourhood (LTN). From March, emergency services which do not meet the local council's emission standards will have to pay to enter the city. Bath and North East Somerset Council introduced a so-called Clean Air Zone (CAZ) – another name for an LTN – in 2021. It granted a four-year suspension on charges to emergency responders and support vehicles to allow them time to 'update' their fleet. The suspension will come to an end on March 14, but it has meant the fire authority has had to ask for a £4.8 million investment in its fleet over three years. Avon Fire Authority has warned that more than half of its emergency vehicles, including fire engines, are not compliant, adding that it will take another six years before the entire fleet can drive without incurring LTN charges in the city. A capital programme report published this February by the fire authority says electric and hydrogen vehicles used to fight fires cost twice as much as those that use 'internal combustion'. The report says: 'New technology vehicles (electric and hydrogen) are roughly 100 per cent more expensive than the cost of the equivalent internal combustion vehicles, across both the car and commercial vehicle market. 'The level of CAZ-compliant vehicles within the station-based appliance fleet is currently 40 per cent because of the fleet replacement programme. 'The proposed capital investment in further vehicle procurement and the continual introduction of lower or zero-emission vehicles within our CAZs will achieve 48 per cent Clean Air Zone compliance across the appliance fleet by March 2026. A further 24 specialist operational vehicles are currently 21 per cent CAZ-compliant. 'The life cycle and appliance replacement programme for the turntable ladders, as an example, will not achieve clean-air compliant emissions until 2030. Current expectation is the fleet will be CAZ-compliant by 2031.' Impacted vehicles 'limited' Private cars and motorbikes are not charged to enter the zone, no matter how much pollution they emit, although higher-emission taxis and private hire cars are. The council, however, claims only a limited number of emergency vehicles will be affected by the charge. Cllr Sarah Warren, the council's deputy leader and cabinet member for climate emergency and sustainable travel, told the BBC Local Democracy Reporting Service the authority had 'worked closely' with emergency service providers to support them during the introduction of the LTN. She added: 'This exemption has allowed emergency service organisations four additional years to consider the steps that could be taken to prepare for the end of the exemption, including vehicle upgrade, retrofit and fleet redistribution, and we are supportive of the changes that have been made to date. 'All parties have been aware from the start that this exemption was due to end in March 2025 and our dialogue with the emergency services to date indicates that, because of the progress made in the last four years, a limited number of vehicles will be impacted by this local exemption ending. 'We are continuing our conversations regarding these vehicles.' A fire service spokesman said it was 'in negotiations' with the council. An Avon and Somerset Police statement said the LTN had 'informed' its choice of 'vehicle replacement'. 'As a result, our fleet team has put cleaner and more efficient vehicles on the road,' he continued. 'Our fleet now includes more than 200 hybrid and electric vehicles operating within local communities.'
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Emergency vehicles to be charged in clean air zone
Some police cars, ambulances and fire engines will be charged to enter Bath's clean air zone from next month after a four-year exemption ended. From 14 March, emergency service vehicles, including those used by voluntary support groups, will have to pay if they do not meet the zone's emission standards. Bath & North East Somerset Council has insisted that only a limited number of vehicles will be affected. However, more than half of Avon Fire Authority's fleet is not yet compliant and it will take another six years for it to become so, according to a report. The report outlines a request for councillors to approve a three-year budget that includes a £4.8m investment in the fire service's fleet, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The document, which will be presented to the Avon Fire Authority committee on Friday, said electric and hydrogen vehicles were roughly twice the cost of petrol and diesel models. Avon and Somerset Police, meanwhile, appears to be better prepared for the end of the exemption. A force spokesperson said its fleet now has more than 200 hybrid and electric vehicles, with just 66 vehicles currently subject to the clean air charge, of which half are due to be replaced imminently. The force said just one non-compliant vehicle was stationed at Bath, with its replacement due before the exemption ends. The spokesperson underlined the importance of collaboration with the council in reducing the emissions of the police fleet, and said the force had won the "public sector car fleet of the year" category at the Green Fleet Awards in 2024. Deputy council leader Sarah Warren said the authority had "worked closely with emergency service providers" since the introduction of the CAZ in 2021. She said the council was "continuing our conversations" regarding non-compliant vehicles to support changes such as upgrades and retrofitting. A spokesperson for the the fire service said it was in negotiations with the council. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. 'Clean air zone and e-bike trial improving air quality' Hundreds of new trees will 'improve air quality' Avon Fire & Rescue Avon & Somerset Police Bath & North Somerset Council
BBC News
14-02-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Bath's clean air charges to apply to emergency vehicles
Some police cars, ambulances and fire engines will be charged to enter Bath's clean air zone from next month after a four-year exemption 14 March, emergency service vehicles, including those used by voluntary support groups, will have to pay if they do not meet the zone's emission & North East Somerset Council has insisted that only a limited number of vehicles will be more than half of Avon Fire Authority's fleet is not yet compliant and it will take another six years for it to become so, according to a report. The report outlines a request for councillors to approve a three-year budget that includes a £4.8m investment in the fire service's fleet, according to the Local Democracy Reporting document, which will be presented to the Avon Fire Authority committee on Friday, said electric and hydrogen vehicles were roughly twice the cost of petrol and diesel and Somerset Police, meanwhile, appears to be better prepared for the end of the exemption.A force spokesperson said its fleet now has more than 200 hybrid and electric vehicles, with just 66 vehicles currently subject to the clean air charge, of which half are due to be replaced imminently. The force said just one non-compliant vehicle was stationed at Bath, with its replacement due before the exemption spokesperson underlined the importance of collaboration with the council in reducing the emissions of the police fleet, and said the force had won the "public sector car fleet of the year" category at the Green Fleet Awards in council leader Sarah Warren said the authority had "worked closely with emergency service providers" since the introduction of the CAZ in said the council was "continuing our conversations" regarding non-compliant vehicles to support changes such as upgrades and retrofitting.A spokesperson for the the fire service said it was in negotiations with the council.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
Emergency vehicles could be charged for using Clean Air Zone
Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media. Police cars, ambulances and fire engines will be charged to enter Bath's Clean Air Zone from next month, according to Somerset Live. It has proved to be a big talking point on social media, as a four-year exemption comes to an end. Avon Fire Authority says it'll be years before their vehicles are compliant. Fancy a game of Red Light Green Light? Bristol 24/7 reports that games could be added to Bristol city centre once the fountains are filled in. You can see a survey on the plans here. Plans to build 30 homes near an intensive poultry farm in Bream, Gloucestershire have been rejected - because of worries about "disgusting smells" there. And Cheltenham is set to get a third McDonald's, which has sparked a mix of comments on Gloucestershire Live's Facebook page. Sergeant who 'pinned down' soldier will leave Army, inquest told School worker sacked for LGBT+ posts wins appeal 'Deserted' town centre feels unsafe at night A dog which went missing after a house fire in Royal Wootton Bassett has reportedly been found dead on the M4. Appeals to find Ocho were widely shared on social media. Bath-born Tom Dunn has renewed with Bath Rugby. There is a popular Reddit thread – and even an article by – about renaming Welsh waters, inspired by Donal Trump's 'The Gulf of America' re-brand. The Gulf of Newport, anyone? Follow BBC West social channels in Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
BBC News
13-02-2025
- BBC News
Emergency vehicles could be charged for using Clean Air Zones:
Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media. Our pick of local website stories Police cars, ambulances and fire engines will be charged to enter Bath's Clean Air Zone from next month, according to Somerset Live. It has proved to be a big talking point on social media, as a four-year exemption comes to an end. Avon Fire Authority says it'll be years before their vehicles are a game of Red Light Green Light? Bristol 24/7 reports that games could be added to Bristol city centre once the fountains are filled in. You can see a survey on the plans to build 30 homes near an intensive poultry farm in Bream, Gloucestershire have been rejected - because of worries about "disgusting smells" Cheltenham is set to get a third McDonald's, which has sparked a mix of comments on Gloucestershire Live's Facebook page. Our top three from yesterday What to watch on social media A dog which went missing after a house fire in Royal Wootton Bassett has reportedly been found dead on the M4. Appeals to find Ocho were widely shared on social Tom Dunn has renewed with Bath is a popular Reddit thread – and even an article by – about renaming Welsh waters, inspired by Donal Trump's 'The Gulf of America' re-brand. The Gulf of Newport, anyone?
