Portsmouth will mark Clean Air Day [19 June] by offering free bus travel across the city to celebrate the city’s progress in improving air quality.
Since in 2021, when the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) was launched, air quality in Portsmouth has seen a marked improvement and a recent study shows that over 99% of chargeable vehicles entering the zone now meet emissions standards.
Portsmouth reported that a few areas of the city still exceed the legal limits of nitrogen dioxide, however, with high density areas causing traffic and therefore emission build up.
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To tackle the remaining pollution, Portsmouth has rolled out 62 electric buses through the government’s ZEBRA scheme and installed 320 new on-street electric vehicle charge points.
The CAZ will remain in place until air pollution levels stay within legal limits for two consecutive years.
Portsmouth City Council cabinet member for transport Peter Candlish said: “We’ve made real progress on air pollution, but there’s much more we can do, especially by changing how we travel.
“That’s why Clean Air Day is the perfect time to try the bus — it’s free, it’s easy, and it’s one small step we can all take for a cleaner, greener and healthier Portsmouth.”
Achievements in clean air projects will be recognised and celebrated at the fourth annual CiTTi Awards on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector!
