Emergency services will not be charged for going into Oxford’s Zero Emission Zone, a county councillor has said.

The Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ), which aims to cut carbon emissions, currently covers a number of streets in the city centre and charges drivers up to £10 a day.

Conservative councillor Kieron Mallon asked Lib Dem councillor Neil Fawcett if fire and rescue staff were “fully consulted” before the ZEZ scheme was implemented and “informed of the financial impact”.

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Mr Fawcett, cabinet member for community services and safety, said senior officers were consulted and further work is being undertaken to ensure staff are not “disadvantaged by serving at the city's essential central fire station”

At Oxfordshire County Council’s full council meeting on Tuesday Mr Mallon followed this up with a supplementary question.

He asked if care staff and carers who travel through the zone will be recompensed by the council.

Mr Fawcett said he believe care staff were being consulted, although that was not in his portfolio.

He added: "At a recent meeting, I made it very clear that no member of staff of the fire and rescue service should pay a cost for having to do their job if they are trying to get to an emergency quickly. 

"We need to ensure any scheme does not inhibit the ability of the service to do its job.”

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