Bradford to get new fleet of zero emission buses thanks to government grant
The funding comes several months after it was revealed that retrofitted buses rolled out in Bradford ahead of the Clean Air Zone hadn't worked as intended
BRADFORD will get a new fleet of zero emission buses after receiving an £8 million grant from the Government.
The funding comes several months after it was revealed that retrofitted buses rolled out in Bradford ahead of the Clean Air Zone had not reduced pollution in the way they were supposed to, and “contributed significantly to the exceedance of legal pollution limits” in some areas of the city.
The Department for Transport has today announced a £28 million government investment for zero emission buses in Bradford and Sheffield.
Sheffield will get the bulk of this funding – £20m, with Bradford getting the remaining £8m.
Bradford Council’s Leader Susan Hinchcliffe said the funding came after much lobbying from local politicians.
Earlier this year it was revealed that emission abatement technology systems fitted to buses when Bradford adopted its Clean Air Zone were “not working.”
This meant that despite the introduction of the Clean Air Zone, and millions being spent on attempting to make the city’s existing buses less polluting, pollution levels remained above legal levels on bus heavy routes like Manchester Road.
When this was revealed in February, Council bosses said they were pushing for Government to invest in zero emission buses in the District.
Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood, said: “Buses are lifelines for communities – they transport people to work and get people to doctors’ appointments. I’m delighted that our £28 million investment will bring cleaner, greener buses to Bradford and Sheffield — cutting pollution, supporting manufacturing jobs and driving forward our Plan for Change.”
After the announcement, West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said: “This latest funding is a welcome contribution to support Bradford’s Clean Air Zone and will help us meet a carbon net zero target of 2038.
“Our plans for an integrated Weaver Network include the commitment to delivering a modern, environmentally-friendly fleet as we introduce a fully-franchised bus system in the coming years.
“We will continue to work with partners to secure the funding we need to make West Yorkshire a better-connected and greener region that works for all.”
Cllr Hinchcliffe said: “Since the Government published the findings of the bus retrofit programme, we’ve been keen to make sure Bradford is prioritised for investment in Zero Emission buses.
“The Clean Air Zone has improved our air quality hugely and resulted in people needing to visit GPs less with respiratory problems.
“So, it makes sense that we should also have clean buses which will help us further accelerate the improvement in our clean air.
“I’ve personally met with Ministers to make the case and therefore am delighted with the announcement we have today. They have listened, understand the importance of clean air in Bradford and are investing in our place.”