BRITAIN’S first-ever Zero Emissions Zone is set to launch in Oxford next month – but not all businesses within the pilot area are happy.

The ZEZ pilot scheme, launched by Oxfordshire County Council in partnership with Oxford City Council, means that polluting cars will be fined for driving in the city centre.

Electric vehicles, that do not burn fossil fuels, and create ‘zero emissions’, therefore will be the only ones available to enter the zone for free.

The pilot scheme – which will cover Cornmarket Street, Queen Street, Bonn Square, New Inn Hall Street, St Michael’s Street, and Ship Street – will work in a similar way to the London congestion zone charge and the ultra-low emission zone.

Businesses across the trial zone, however, have raised several concerns, including the effect on elderly customers with mobility issues as well as the effect the charge will have on delivery drivers.

Afraz Saied, who owns Bonn Square News, off Bonn Square, said the ZEZ could make things ‘very difficult’ for his business.

Speaking weeks before the scheme is set to launch, Mr Saied explained: “It will affect us as a business because we need to have an electric car do the shopping for the store.

“What we have found throughout this pandemic is that we haven’t made enough money to fully recover for this sort of situation

“Buying an electric is very, very pricey, and other friends I know who are self-employed in the city centre, cannot afford to get an electric van or car.

“The council has to come with a solution to help businesses, especially during these pandemic times.”

Adil Cowan, who owns Cowan’s Pharmacy on St Michael’s Street, is worried about the effect the scheme will have on elderly customers who need to get their prescriptions.

Mr Cowan, who opened the pharmacy in 2020 after moving from the old department store Boswell’s explained: “It’s going to have some effect because I had one of my patients come in at the end of last week and he was saying he was going to have a problem because he can’t walk too far.

"Normally he parks at the top here in St Michael’s Street, but once it goes into the emission-free zone, he’s going to have to park further away or take the bus in and walk from where the buses stop.

“And that will be the same for a lot of old people around here unless they are really mobile.”

The pharmacist added that he has concerns about his suppliers, delivering medicines, will be able to drive in the ZEZ, unless they purchase electric vehicles.

He said: “We won’t be too bad because I have a hybrid car, and when we get to the stage where we are going to be delivering and I have to bring the car into the centre, there will be far less charge.”

Not all businesses are concerned, however.

Some are excited about the prospects the ZEZ could bring for the city centre.

Mandy Craigan, who is the manager at the Nosebag Restaurant, also located on St Michael’s Street, said she hopes the scheme will have an overall ‘positive’ impact on the business and Oxford as a whole.

She said: “Generally, yes [we are supportive of the scheme] because we have got to get emissions out of the city centre and you have to start somewhere, and now that is already quite pedestrianised since lockdown, its been a case that a lot of the delivery people can only get so far down the street anyway.

“Most of our suppliers seem geared up for it, we have had a couple of people who said they don’t want to deliver to us because of the Zero Emission Zone because they haven’t been able to invest in electric vehicles and don’t want to walk the extra mile or half a mile, but I suppose we want to see how it goes.

“I am hoping this will have a positive impact in the long run, obviously we all need cleaner air, that’s the most of things for all of us.

“People are very resistant to change and it’s difficult, and I think there will be a few bumps in the road.”

It is still unclear what date the ZEZ will launch – however, the council has said it will come into force at some point in February.
Businesses within the ZEZ, however, such as the ones on St Michael’s Street and Bonn Square, are eligible to apply for a discount.

Those who are eligible for a discount must apply at least 10 days before entering the ZEZ.

You can find out how to apply for the scheme here.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail earlier this month, he explained: "Businesses can receive exemptions and discounts. 

"We want there to be more electric bikes and deliveries that way.”
He continued: “We delayed the implementation of the pilot during the pandemic to support businesses.

“The Zero Emission Zone is part of our stall to decarbonise but also to meet our air quality standards.

“It’s a pilot and we want to learn from it – we want people to feel they can influence policy and we’ll continue listening to people.”

Oxfordshire County Council said it has been engaging with businesses and residents in this area over the last two years and have developed a scheme based on feedback and suggestions received during this engagement process.

A spokesperson for the council said: "The scheme will not ban any vehicle from entering zone, but will encourage the use of zero emission vehicles. There are a number of discounts and exemptions available including for businesses and residents in the area, blue badge holders, healthcare workers and for community transport vehicles.

"Before expanding the scheme in the city centre, we will consult with residents, businesses and employees in Oxford. The expansion of the ZEZ will be informed by learnings from the pilot scheme, as well as feedback received during the engagement and consultation process.

"The ZEZ expansion will not be implemented in isolation. We are also working to improve cycling, walking and bus infrastructure that will make these travel options easier and more appealing.

As the first of its kind in the country, the ZEZ is an opportunity for Oxford to be a national leader in sustainable transport. The ZEZ will help make the city a safer, cleaner and better place for people who live and work in Oxford and for those who visit it.”