Residents and businesses in Coventry are being asked to provide their views on a package of schemes which will enable reductions in NO2 levels to be achieved in the city without the need to introduce a charging Clean Air Zone (CAZ D).

The government has written to Coventry City Council in support of local proposals which set out to reduce NO2 emissions, benefiting residents through cleaner air and better health. Coventry now has to submit a final full business case for the package by 19 June which will contain final details on the schemes.

A consultation held in December 2018 found that residents and businesses were generally opposed to the idea of a charging CAZ D and in favour of various highways and other measures to address NO2 emissions. These measures are now being developed in more detail, with some schemes, such as closing Coundon Road at the level crossing, having been dropped as a result of the consultation feedback.

The package of measures include: highways engineering; improved traffic management; cycle routes; travel planning; upgrading bus fleet; supporting a shift to electric taxis; and encouraging the uptake of electric cars and installing more charging points.

Jim O’Boyle said: “Local people did not want a CAZ D. Our approach now is to work up schemes that directly target areas where Nitrogen Dioxide is particularly high. Behaviour change – encouraging walking, cycling and use of public transport and making it easier for people and businesses to own and operate electric vehicles - is very important. But it is also vital to be able to improve and manage the capacity on some routes. We want to discuss the schemes we have identified with residents. It’s important that we get feedback.”

Coventry City Council is already de-carbonising its bus fleet, installing a charge point network for electric vehicles, and carrying out schemes to allow taxi drivers and van drivers to try out electric vehicles.