Oxford zero emissions zone - council calls for earlier petrol and diesel ban

Council officials, who joined 13 other cities at a Clean Air Summit yesterday, said Oxford was leading the world with its plans to implement a Zero Emission Zone from 2020 and urged Michael Gove and the Government to send out a clear message in support.

READ: WHY, WHERE AND WHEN? - OXFORD'S ZERO EMISSIONS ZONE EXPLAINED 

Plans for a freight consolidation centre to reduce the number of delivery vehicles in the city have also been revealed which could lead to an expansion of cargo bikes across Oxford as the number of delivery vehicles are cut.

It comes as figures reveal the number of electric vehicles registered in Oxford has increased by 45 per cent over the past year - while that number is only 231 it is a dramatic increase on the 18 electric cars in the city five years ago.

The Government has proposed a ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars from 2040 but city council leader Susan Brown and board member for environment Tom Hayes were among those calling for that date to be brought forward.

Mr Hayes said: "Oxford City Council is leading the world in tackling toxic and illegal air pollution.

"With our Zero Emission Zone proposals, we are providing local residents and businesses with clarity about the future direction of the city, so that when they buy their next vehicle they know that - where technology allows - it needs to be zero emission.

"We need the Government to do the same."

Earlier this year the city was awarded funding to become the first in the world to trial 'pop up' on-street electric charging points - and it has also begun installing 100 charging points in residential streets, with a further 19 exclusively for taxis.

The city council, along with Oxfordshire County Council, wants to ban petrol and diesel cars from certain parts of the city from as early as 2020 moving to the whole city centre by 2035.

Work to introduce the ZEZ could also include a freight consolidation centre, similar to one in Bristol, which encourages businesses to order deliveries to a hub outside the city so that electric vehicles could carry it the final mile.

Oxford-based firm Pedal and Post has been running a similar service from Binsey Lane off Botley Road, for more than four years and revealed plans to expand.

The service works with national courier Yodel and for 30 local businesses, including Blackwell's and Boswells, and is in talks with two more couriers ahead of the ZEZ.

Founder Chris Benton said: "We are in the first stage of developing our freight consolidation centre and are looking to replicate a project that is happening in Berlin, where five national couriers have got together to deliver the last mile by bike.

"We are in talks with two more national carriers and have space to expand where we are.

"It will improve space efficiency on the roads and fits in with the Zero Emission Zone.

Mr Benton added Pedal and Post had been working with the NHS to transport blood and medical samples to the John Radcliffe.

He said: "It has been useful for the hospitals, particularly with the roadworks in Headington lately, we are not affected by the traffic at all.

"Our average speed is 10-12mph and the average speed by car in some parts of the city is 5-6mph.

"We can get from Rose Hill to the John Radcliffe Hospital in 16 minutes."

The Government's latest vehicle licensing figures have also demonstrated a sharp rise in the number of delivery vans being used across Oxfordshire as part of a surge in online shopping and grocery deliveries.

Chris Church, from Oxford Friends of the Earth, said the rise in delivery vehicles was 'alarming' and backed calls for a freight consolidation centre.

He said: "County councillor Suzanne Bartington, also an air pollution specialist, talks about more than 5,000 vehicle deliveries in the city every day.

"In this context a freight consolidation system using electric vehicles (and maybe even cycle powered for smaller packages) makes very good sense, cutting air pollution and freeing up road space."

He added: "The rapid growth in electric vehicles is very welcome but we need to support and sustain that level of growth in coming years so that it really makes a difference - it needs investment and regulation."

The campaign group will launch its 'Clean Air Charter' today, which also calls for the ZEZ proposals to be accelerated and for cycling to be prioritised.

Demonstrations will also be held in Wallingford and Watlington organised by South Oxfordshire Sustainability.