Latest news with #CleanAirZone
Time Out
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Time Out
Johannesburg launches groundbreaking vehicle emissions study
Johannesburg has just kicked off a major climate milestone. On Monday, 21 July 2025, the University of Johannesburg's Process, Energy & Environment Technology Station (UJ-PEETS), in collaboration with the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), officially launched the TRUE Initiative, a first-of-its-kind project using remote sensing tech to measure the real emissions coming from the cars, taxis, and trucks on our roads every day. Powered by Breathe Cities, a global clean air initiative backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies, C40 Cities, and the Clean Air Fund, this project puts Johannesburg on the map alongside 14 other cities aiming to cut pollution and planet-warming emissions by 30% by 2030. Using advanced roadside remote sensing technology, this is the first time South Africa will collect large-scale, real-time data on actual vehicle emissions. Over 100,000 vehicles will be measured, from minibus taxis to SUVs, to paint a detailed picture of what's really happening on our streets. Until now, Joburg didn't have this kind of accurate data to drive targeted, effective policy. 'Partnering with ICCT, COJ, and Breathe Cities on the TRUE Initiative marks a major step for air quality innovation and local capacity building in Johannesburg," says Boitemogelo Kwakwa, UJ PEETS Project Leader. "UJ PEETS is actively involved in deploying advanced remote sensing tech, gaining direct experience in emissions monitoring and analysis. We're also driving uptake by sharing insights with local stakeholders and policymakers to ensure data leads to real, actionable change," she adds. The project also aligns with Joburg's upcoming Clean Air Zone and fits into the city's bigger sustainability vision. "Through initiatives like Breathe Johannesburg and our forthcoming Clean Air Zone, we are taking bold, evidence-based action to reduce vehicle emissions and protect the health of our communities. TRUE will give us the real-world data we need to shape effective policy and deliver cleaner, healthier streets for every resident of our city," explains City of Johannesburg Head Air Quality Management, Musa Mahlatji. Testing will continue through September 2025, with results expected mid-2026, a major step forward for Joburg's air, and a reminder that when we know better, we can do better.
ITV News
4 days ago
- Automotive
- ITV News
Signs come down for Manchester's Clean Air Zone after three years
Work has begun to take down hundreds of Clean Air Zone signs as the controversial scheme is "finally put to bed". The divisive project across Greater Manchester has cost more the Government more than £100m, after they instructed local leaders to bring down nitrogen dioxide levels in 2017. More than 1,300 signs were installed across Greater Manchester, warning motorists of daily charges on certain vehicles. But in early 2022, the scheme was paused due to public backlash. Since then, the Clean Air Zone signs have been covered with stickers saying "under review". In January 2025, the Government approved plans from local leaders to meet government clean air targets, arguing that rising costs would stop drivers upgrading their vehicles. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has now confirmed that work has begun to take the signs down. In a report, transport bosses said that 'the release of funds' for councils to remove or repurpose the signs, has been approved. Clean air campaigners criticised the decision to scrap the scheme, claiming that it is contributing to an 'epidemic' of serious lung problems and respiratory illnesses, but Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham insists charging motorists would not have helped. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has welcomed the signs coming down, saying that the scheme is "finally being put to bed". Robert Downes, FSB's development manager in Greater Manchester, said: "While we've known the CAZ was all but dead and buried quite some time ago, it's symbolic and definitive to learn that plans are now in motion to bring down the signage. "Despite all the effort we put in to opposing the CAZ it was, ironically, the signs going up in the first place that triggered the massive reaction from both the business community and the wider public when they woke up to the huge financial implications of what was being proposed. "You only now have to look around the country to see other city regions who rushed ahead with similar schemes to see how they have hammered businesses, many of whom have been forced to close because of the unavoidable costs. "While it may have taken local decision makers a while to come around, it's always better late than never." The Clean Air Zone would have seen taxis, vans, lorries and buses that don't meet emissions standards charged up to £60 a day. Under the new "investment-led" approach, there will no charges. Instead, the government has allowed Greater Manchester to spend £86m on a series of other initiatives including grants to upgrade vehicles and measures to reduce traffic around the city centre. The lion's share of this funding will go towards zero emission and cleaner diesel buses which transport bosses say is already helping. More than 300 electric buses are now in use across Greater Manchester's Bee Network with plans to fully electrify the fleet by 2030. TfGM says this has contributed to air pollution dropping again in 2024. However, 38 places still had illegal levels of nitrogen council leader Eamonn O'Brien, who is the Clean Air lead for Greater Manchester, said: "We've always been focused on doing what's right for Greater Manchester, and by accelerating investment in our public transport network, we're showing that it's possible to improve air quality faster than if a charging Clean Air Zone had been introduced. "Investment in the Bee Network is enabling more people to choose cleaner, greener ways to get around – like public transport and walking or cycling – instead of driving. "As we deliver our Clean Air Plan alongside the Bee Network, with support from the government, we'll roll out the UK's first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system by the end of the decade and improve the air we all breathe for generations to come."
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Bristol's Clean Air Zone is the 'final blow' for family-run store forced to close after 57 years
The owners of an independent store say a Clean Air Zone has proven the 'final blow' for their business as the shutters rolled down for the last time after nearly six decades of trading. Marcruss Outdoors, in Hotwell Road, Bristol, announced in March that the business faced closure during a heartfelt announcement on its Facebook page. Established in 1968, the the three-storey shop was a well-known presence on the city's high street selling outdoor gear, camping supplies, workwear and army surplus. The team wrote: 'It is with a heavy heart that we write to inform you of the difficult decision to close Marcruss Outdoors for the last time this summer. 'Unfortunately, the harsh economic climate has made it impossible for us to continue. 'Despite having weathered countless recessions and even the challenging lockdowns, the final blow has come in the form of the Clean Air Zone.' Owners Marcus and Adam Pinson suggested that the introduction of the eco-friendly measure three years ago had severely impacted footfall and led to its closure on 12 July. Adam told the BBC: 'To me it felt like it was people with older vans who perhaps go camping, and they just won't drive through Bristol. 'There's not a draw for people to pay the clean-air charge to come here, and I think being inside that [zone] has just destroyed us. 'We're just not getting the people coming in.' The team's Facebook message also paid tribute to their loyal staff and customers over the years. They said: 'It has truly been an honour and a privilege to serve each and every one of you. 'We will deeply miss running this shop, as it has been more than just a business to us - it's been a place where we've been able to offer expert advice, exceptional customer service, and a sense of community. 'We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have worked here over the years. 'Their loyalty, commitment, and hard work have been the foundation of our success. 'We couldn't have reached the milestones we did without their dedication, and we consider both our customers and staff to be part of the Marcruss family.' The team ended their message by saying: 'The closing of our doors will certainly be a loss and we believe that the vibrant city of Bristol will feel a little less bright without us.' On the last day of trading, Marcruss Outdoors changed its Facebook cover photo to one that stated it was now closed. Taking to the comments section, fans were quick to share their sadness at the closure. One said: 'We will be so sad to see you go. Marcruss has always been our go to place for anything outdoors. It has been a big part of our family for a very long time. It will be a big loss.' A second wrote: 'I'm so sorry. Bristol loses an institution.' While a third commented: 'Been my go to place over the decades for work, fishing and outdoor clothing and supplies. 'Such a shame to see it go. Wishing the staff and owners all the best for the future. Must be a very hard decision to make after almost 60 years trading. The business was started by Frank Pinson and his son Trevor in the mid-1960s. They took over what had been an army surplus store for many years before that. In more recent years the shop has been run by Trevor's sons Marcus, who looked after the army surplus and Airsoft side, and Adam who oversaw camping equipment and workwear. The name 'Marcruss' refers to Marcus and one of Trevor's other sons, Russ, who is no longer involved in the shop.
BBC News
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Newcastle air pollution sees 'significant' drop in last year
There was a "significant" drop in air pollution in Newcastle last year, according to a new from the city council showed a 9% fall in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels from 2023 to authority bosses hailed the results as proof that its Clean Air Zone (CAZ) tolls, introduced in January 2023, were having a "positive impact".Under the CAZ, which was imposed in response to illegal levels of air pollution in certain hotspots, some high-polluting vehicles are charged daily tolls of up to £50 for driving through Newcastle city centre. Despite the improvement, civic centre officials said the CAZ would remain in force as there were still two areas where emissions exceed legal worst spot in the city for air pollution remains close to the Corner House junction on the Coast Road, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.A pollution sensor located at the junction of Stephenson Road and Jesmond Park West recorded an average NO2 level of 64.5 micrograms per cubic metre of air (μg/m3) in 2024, well above the legal maximum of there was a slight improvement there compared to the 67.1 μg/m3 recorded in the previous 12 months, and the situation was notably better than in both 2022 and 2021, when average readings were over 92 μg/ bosses have repeatedly argued the NO2 levels that people are exposed to in the residential parts of Stephenson Road, rather than at the roadside, are actually Sathian, the Labour-led city council's cabinet member for climate and transport, said she was delighted with the reduction in pollution levels."As more people upgrade from older, more polluting vehicles to cleaner models with reduced emissions we hope to see even more improvements in the future," she said."These latest figures show that we are making important positive steps forward in achieving this but there are still further improvements needed." Follow BBC Newcastle on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Start date for Bradford bike hire scheme 'under review' says council
The start date for an electric bike hire scheme in Bradford, previously expected to be up and running by spring 2025, is "under review", the council has September, Bradford Council approved plans to roll out the scheme across the district with the project being funded through cash raised from the city's Clean Air Zone (CAZ) would allow cyclists to hire e-bikes from docking stations and return them to either the same or a different docking station when council said it was in "detailed discussions with a bike share scheme provider" and the launch date was "under review to ensure that we maximise the bike usage when it is launched". According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a spokesperson said the precise location of docking stations would be determined "through consultation with the scheme provider and other key stakeholders".But the authority said the network would be designed to cover "key trip origins and destinations in the main urban area" such as Bradford Interchange, Forster Square Station, Darley Street market as well as the university, colleges and council reports on the scheme had said areas outside the city including Bingley five rise locks, Haworth, and East Riddlesden Hall in Keighley could also be included. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
