Bradford’s Clean Air Zone generated an estimated £180 million in benefits in less than two years – a new academic study has claimed.
The Centre for Health Economics at the University of York says the figure includes reduced costs for health services – with almost 600 fewer GP visits for breathing problems each month in the city – increased productivity due to better health and health benefits from “avoided morbidity.”
The research looked at the first 22 months of the CAZ, which was introduced in September 2022.
The collaboration between the UoY and Bradford Council built on earlier research from NHS Health Researchers at Born in Bradford, which showed dramatic improvements in respiratory and cardiovascular health across the city.
The health benefits were discussed at a meeting of Bradford Council’s Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee at a meeting on Tuesday evening.
The Clean Air Zone was introduced after the Government issued a “ministerial direction” to Bradford Council ordering the Authority to improve Bradford’s illegal levels of air pollution.
The CAZ sees the most polluting commercial vehicles charged to enter Bradford and parts of Shipley.
A report to Tuesday’s Committee said before the CAZ, air pollution was a contributing factor for 35 per cent of GP patients with breathing issues and 49 per cent of those visiting A&E, with conditions including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
One year after the CAZ launch, the BIB research team found that on average every month there were 598 fewer GP visits for respiratory health (a 25 per cent reduction) and 134 fewer GP visits for cardiovascular health (a 24 per cent reduction).
The Centre for Health Economics (CHE) at the University of York has now confirmed the wider impact that cleaner air means healthier communities and significant financial savings.
This includes preventing people falling ill with serious respiratory and heart conditions, which can leave them unable to work, and cost health services millions.
After the research was published, Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “By encouraging cleaner vehicles and reducing pollution, the CAZ is now proven to be protecting vulnerable residents, improving long-term health outcomes, and supporting a healthier, more sustainable Bradford for future generations.”
Spokesperson from the York Centre for Health Economics said: “This exploratory analysis suggests that the health and wider economic benefits of Bradford’s Clean Air Zone may be substantial. The CAZ appears to be an effective population wide environmental policy, that can deliver measurable improvements in quality of life and economic sustainability.”
