News / Politics
Proposed increase to Clean Air Zone charge ‘a herd of cash cows’
Tory metro mayor candidate Steve Smith has called the proposed increase to Bristol’s Clean Air Zone charge “a herd of cash cows”.
Motorists could be charged more to enter the zone under city council plans to balance its budget.
The current daily fee has not been increased since the scheme launched in 2022, and council officers are seeking approval to ask the government for permission to raise it in line with inflation.
is needed now More than ever
Smith said: “It is already a £9 a day charge that targets people with lower incomes and less ability to pay.
“It has been controversial from day one. But now it will get even worse.
“Bristol City Council have admitted what we knew all along; that they see drivers simply as a herd of cash cows.
“With Bristol’s finances shredded by disasters like losing tens of millions on Bristol Energy, the council is now looking to hammer the motorist to plug the gap.
“Bristol wants to increase the charges to fill its blackhole, as well as introducing charges for disabled parking spaces and imposing more car parking charges.”
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Read more: ‘We are doing all we can to set a balanced budget and prioritise low income households’
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Smith added: “It is clear that Bristol sees the Clean Air Zone as just another way of bailing out their financial mess.
“As West of England mayor, I wouldn’t support increasing the charges which are already more than cities like Birmingham.
“We need to stop seeing people who need their car, many of whom who are lower incomes, as just a cash cow for the council.”
Steve Smith hopes to replace Dan Norris as metro mayor – photo: Conservative Party
It comes as the Green Party’s original candidate for the metro mayor election in May, deputy council leader Heather Mack, has been replaced by Mary Page.
Page was previously Lib Dem candidate for mayor of Bristol and later played a leading role in the campaign to scrap the role.
Labour’s candidate is former Bristol cabinet member Helen Godwin, while the Lib Dems have not yet announced their challenger.
Main photo: Martin Booth
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