Sunderland City Council has confirmed it has no plans to introduce an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), Clean Air Zone (CAZ) or adopt the 15-minute city planning model.
Council leader Cllr Christopher Enyon gave the assurance during a full council meeting on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, following a question from a member of the public.
The leader of the Reform UK-led council said the authority would instead focus on improving Sunderland’s transport network, supporting economic growth and allowing residents and businesses to travel freely across the city.
Addressing councillors, Cllr Enyon said: “The good thing is that we can provide firm assurances that Sunderland Council have no plans to introduce a ULEZ zone, a CAZ zone, or ever to become a 15-minute city.
“Our priority is actually on improving the city’s transport network, maintaining it, supporting economic growth and ensuring residents and businesses can travel throughout the city without any impediments.”
Image: Sunderland Council
Cllr Enyon described the measures as “declaring war on cars”.
How ULEZ and clean air zones work
ULEZ operates in London, where drivers of vehicles that do not meet specified emissions standards must pay a daily charge to travel within the zone.
Supporters argue that the scheme helps reduce air pollution, while critics have described it as a “stealth tax” on motorists.
A separate Clean Air Zone has been operating in Newcastle city centre since 2023.
Under Newcastle’s scheme, private cars and motorcycles are exempt from charges, but certain commercial vehicles must pay to enter the zone.
The charges outlined in the report are £50 per day for buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles, and £12.50 for taxis, vans, light goods vehicles and minibuses that do not meet the required emissions standards.
What is a 15-minute city?
The 15-minute city concept is an urban planning approach designed to make everyday amenities, including shops, schools, healthcare and public spaces, accessible within approximately 15 minutes on foot or by bicycle.
Unlike ULEZ and clean air zones, the concept is not itself a vehicle-charging scheme.
However, Cllr Enyon made clear that Sunderland Council had no plans to adopt the model.
His comments confirm the authority’s stated position on the three approaches as it prioritises maintaining and improving the city’s existing transport network.
