No plans for Clean Air Zone in Doncaster, says mayor

Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones shared that there are no plans to implement a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) anywhere in the borough, adding that she “does not want to see” this policy being introduced.

CAZs place fines upon people driving through certain areas if their vehicle does not meet emissions standards.

They have recently been implemented by local authorities in areas including Sheffield, Greater Manchester and Bradford.

Doncaster Council has encouraged sustainable transport through policy including the unveiling of an Active Travel route through the city centre and improvements to the Trans Pennine Trail.

Its policy is in line with the government’s goal to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Mayor Jones said: “The government transport policy and regeneration schemes continue to push for a modal shift to encourage people to walk, to cycle and to use public transport which is very important, whether our funding comes from Transforming Cities, City Region Sustainable Transport Fund or Levelling Up.

“We have no plans for low emission zones in Doncaster, and I do not want to see clean air zones in Doncaster either.

“The most effective way to reduce harmful emissions from transport is to decarbonise our transport network, to implement the infrastructure for electric vehicle charging, to encourage walking, cycling and transport by rail where possible and improve public transport. I hope to move onto electric buses so we really are doing our bit to achieve clean air.

“These all require long-term funding from government and at the moment funding is rather piecemeal, small amount after small amount. If government are serious about really making the best use of public transport, give us the funding required to have transport fit for the 21st century.”

The council’s sustainable transport policies have been criticised by MP Nick Fletcher for Don Valley, who claimed that active travel was turning the city centre into a “ghost town”.

Mayor Jones reiterated that Active Travel schemes have been encouraged and partially funded by central government.