Taxi drivers to be given help to upgrade their vehicles ahead of Clean Air Zone being introduced in Sheffield

Sheffield taxi drivers will get help to upgrade their vehicles instead of paying a daily charge when the Clean Air Zone comes into force in the city.
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Last summer the council consulted on plans to introduce a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and 80 per cent of the 12,000 people who responded said improving air quality should be a priority.

But Ibrar Hussain and Lee Ward, speaking on behalf of Sheffield black cab and private hire drivers, said the CAZ would have a “detrimental effect” on the taxi trade.

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Mr Ward told a council meeting: “As it currently stands, we are the only vehicles that will not be allowed to use Euro 6 diesel vehicles without charge.

Ibrar Hussain and Lee Ward, on behalf of black cab and private hire drivers, said the CAZ would have a “detrimental effect” on the trade.Ibrar Hussain and Lee Ward, on behalf of black cab and private hire drivers, said the CAZ would have a “detrimental effect” on the trade.
Ibrar Hussain and Lee Ward, on behalf of black cab and private hire drivers, said the CAZ would have a “detrimental effect” on the trade.

“Every other city in the UK which has introduced, or plans to introduce, a CAZ has made the taxi and private hire vehicles exempt if they have a Euro 6 engine.

“The lack of information has already forced 132 of the 857 wheelchair accessible vehicles to not renew, that’s about 15 per cent less vehicles available for the disabled public.

“There are literally hundreds of private hire vehicles waiting to upgrade to an affordable and cleaner vehicle but cannot do so without the knowledge of their investment being suitable.”

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Coun Bob Johnson, cabinet member for transport and development, said a range of support packages was being developed for drivers of older, more polluting vehicles.

He said: “The council is seeking funding to deliver these from the Government and is currently awaiting confirmation on its CAZ proposals. Following this, a full business case will be finalised and submitted to the Government.”

More than 20 ultra-low taxi charge points will also be installed in the city centre from this month.

The council is also making its own vehicles cleaner and greener.

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Another 15 electric vehicles will replace current diesel one and the council will trial two hydrogen fuel cell vans with battery power for 200 miles.

As they delivered their budget during a full council meeting on March, the council also pledged to spend £15million on improving bus journeys in the city and on investing in greener forms of transport as well as the creation of new walking and cycling routes.