Leeds City Council has urged logistics operators to engage with team members as it looks to shape its final clean air zone (CAZ) business case for government.

The council last week revealed full details of its CAZ plans, which saw it mitigate the impact of the zone on businesses by reducing the geographic area affected and halving its originally proposed daily fee for non-compliant trucks from £100 to £50.

Its revised CAZ plan, which the council said was developed following feedback from 9,000 consultation responses to its draft proposals, will be submitted to the government on 15 September.

Before this, a full statutory consultation will take place, which opens on 28 June.

Speaking ahead of an HGV engagement roadshow being held in the city on 3 July, councillor James Lewis, deputy leader of Leeds City Council and executive board member for resources and sustainability, told MT: “Improving air quality in the city is a real priority for the council, and we are keen to engage with all affected trades and businesses around the proposed clean air charging zone and additional measures.

“We want to make sure that our final business case is as strong and robust as possible and includes the needs of  HGV operators in terms of asks and financial support  from government, to make moving to more sustainable models of vehicle possible, and a viable option to achieve the better air quality we all need.”

The free, half-day roadshow will be a key opportunity for operators to hear from senior members of the council’s air quality team and ask any pressing questions they have about the impact of the CAZ on their businesses.

It takes place at Elland Road Stadium, Leeds on 3 July from 9am to 1pm followed by lunch.

In addition to liaising with Leeds City Council, operators will be able to take part in workshops looking at the role of retrofit, hear case studies about alternative fuel CVs, and talk to manufacturers while exploring more than 20 low-emission freight vehicles outside.

Register today for your free place!

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