A PETITION calling for a review of the upcoming Clean Air Zone for Bradford has been signed by over 500 people.

Published on Bradford Council’s website, the petition calls for a pause in the CAZ, which is going live on September 26.

In 2018, the authority was given a Ministerial Direction by Government to reduce illegal levels of air pollution in the city as soon as possible.

The CAZ will see the most polluting vans, HGVs, taxis and buses charged to enter the city centre and areas of Shipley.

Businesses were offered grants to upgrade their vehicles, and Bradford Council says the majority of buses and taxis are now CAZ compliant.

Thousands of businesses have also been granted exemptions.

The petition calls for “A full consultation on the possible effects of introducing an extra layer of charges amidst a cost-of-living crisis and a possible recession in the near future.”

Listing other reasons for the review it says: “City centre economic disaster.

“Reduction of people traveling to Bradford.”

It says other cities have delayed similar plans. Sheffield’s Clean Air Zone was delayed from 2022 until 2023, and Leeds paused its CAZ after reduced traffic during lockdown led to air quality improving faster than expected.

The petition is at bradford.gov.uk/your-council/epetitions/epetitions/ and runs until Sep-tember 26 – the day the CAZ goes live.