Issue - meetings

The Corporate Director of Economy and Place to present a report which sets out options to introduce a local bus-based Clean Air Zone (CAZ), an improved minimum emissions standard for City of York Council contracted local bus services, and adopt anti-idling measures.

Resolved:  (i)      That the introduction of a CAZ in 2020, subject to a consultation on the details of the proposed CAZ, be approved.

                   (ii)      That Option 2, as detailed in paragraphs 43-46 of the report,be indicated as the preferred option within the consultation.

                   (iii)     That the introduction of a minimum Ultra Low Emission Bus standard for all City of York Council (CYC) contracted bus services when new contracts are awarded be approved.

                   (iv)    That a report be brought back to the Executive with options to introduce a similar standard in the procurement of fleet and other buses by CYC.

                   (v)     That the use of enforcement to supplement the existing awareness-raising activities to reduce stationary vehicle idling in York, as set out in paragraphs 66 to 69 of the report, be approved.

Reason:     To improve air quality in York through the acceleration of improvements to bus emission levels and the reduction of vehicle engine idling.

The Sustainable Transport Manager presented a report which set out options to introduce a local bus-based Clean Air Zone (CAZ), and improved minimum emissions standard for local bus services contracted by City of York Council (CYC), and to adopt anti-idling measures.

CYC had adopted three Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) and a Low Emissions Strategy (LES) and air quality had generally improved at most locations in the city.  However, emissions of NO2 from diesel vehicles had not reduced as rapidly as predicted, due partly to the number of ageing diesel buses.  The current proposals had been approved in principle during adoption of AQMA3, subject to further assessment and consultation with bus operators prior to implementation.   Significant progress had since been made in terms of electrifying buses, but further measures were needed to meet the original CAZ proposals and address continued complaints about idling engines.

Two revised options were presented for delivery of the CAZ:

Option 1 – a 3-tier approach mandating emissions standards for all vehicles operating on registered local bus services in York. 

Option 2 – a single emissions standard for most vehicles operating on these services, with certain lower frequency buses remaining exempt.  This was broadly based on the LEZ operating in Oxford since 2014 and considered lower risk than Option 1, which was without precedent.

With regard to anti-idling, in addition to the measures proposed in AQAP3, an option to designate enforcement powers to specific officers had been investigated.  Enforcement would only be undertaken as a last resort, for offences on the public highway.  

In response to matters raised under Public Participation, it was noted that air quality standards would be kept under review and that balancing the economic needs of York with improving air quality remained a key challenge for the city.

Resolved:  (i)      That the introduction of a CAZ in 2020, subject to a consultation on the details of the proposed CAZ, be approved.

                   (ii)      That Option 2, as detailed in paragraphs 43-46 of the report,be indicated as the preferred option within the consultation.

                   (iii)     That the introduction of a minimum Ultra Low Emission Bus standard for all City of York Council (CYC) contracted bus services when new contracts are awarded be approved.

                   (iv)    That a report be brought back to the Executive with options to introduce a similar standard in the procurement of fleet and other buses by CYC.

                   (v)     That the use of enforcement to supplement the existing awareness-raising activities to reduce stationary vehicle idling in York, as set out in paragraphs 66 to 69 of the report, be approved.

Reason:     To improve air quality in York through the acceleration of improvements to bus emission levels and the reduction of vehicle engine idling.