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CAZ Penalty Charge Income and Financial Support

CAZ Penalty Charge Income and Financial Support

The Bristol Clean Air Zone (CAZ) has been in place since November 2022.

This article looks at the data for Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) Income and also the financial support that has been provided to help people and businesses upgrade their vehicles.

CAZ Journeys

This table shows that in 2024 only 5% (1,441,000) of journeys were in con-compliant vehicles.

In 2024 there were 405,550 Penalty Charge Notices issued. This means that 28% (405,550 / 1,441,000) of non-compliant journeys resulted in a Penalty Charge Notice being issued.

Penalty Charge Notices

Non-Compliant Vehicles that travel in the CAZ and do not pay the CAZ Charge (£9 for cars) are issued with a Penalty Change Notice.

Data Sources:

CAZ PCN Totals

CAZ PCN by Road

CAZ PCN by Camera

You can explore this data in more detail on BU Reports. Look for the "Freedom of Information" button.

Financial Support

Data Sources:

Vehicle Types

Questions?

When will the CAZ Scheme end?

The scheme is expected to end by 2030, but it could end before then if pollution levels reduce to meet the regulatory requirements. It was recently reported that the plans to close Park Street could help remove the CAZ one year earlier:

"Our plan for Park Street is forecasted to bring down by a year the time it will take us as a city to be compliant with air quality targets," said chair of the council's transport committee Ed Plowden.
He said this in turn could allow for CAZ charges to be removed a year earlier than projected.
"This is because it has been modelled to reduce air pollution more quickly along Colston Avenue — the most problematic area within Bristol's Clean Air Zone," Plowden added.

How will BCC deal with the declining income from the CAZ?

BCC have become reliant on the income from the CAZ, but that income is declining and is likely to end in the next 5 years. The Council have recently become interested in replacing Planter "road blocks" with ANPR enforcement cameras. These cameras could automatically fine people who are not allowed to pass travel down certain roads.

How can people be better informed about CAZ Penalties?

A very high percentage (28%) of non-compliant journeys in 2024 resulted in PCNs being issued. This implies that many people are unaware they are entering the CAZ. The system relies on people knowing they have entered the CAZ and paying the £9 fee if they have a non-compliant vehicle. Why can't people who travel through the CAZ without paying the fee within 24 hours be reminded to pay the fee, rather than going straight to issuing a PCN?

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