Cathryn Brown, Bath & North East Somerset Council Clean Air Zone (CAZ) manager, will provide an in-depth overview of how the city's newly launched CAZ will help address air quality challenges in the city at next week's Virtual Smart Transport Conference.

The event takes place on June 8-9 and is free to attend, with registration open now.

(Register now for FREE entry) 

A breakout session focussing on how the industry can address urban air quality will also include private sector presentations looking at how companies like LeasePlan and Elexant are working on solutions to help decarbonise city centres.

Bath’s CAZ launched on March 15 this year and is the first to go live outside of London.

Brown (pictured) said: “We will be sharing our learnings and experiences on what has been a four-year project to introduce the scheme, with the aim of reducing harmful levels of nitrogen dioxide in the city of Bath.

“Our presentation will provide insight into the infrastructure, processes and engagement with local communities to support them through this significant behaviour change process.”

Alfonso Martinez, LeasePlan UK managing director, will provide an overview of the challenges the company’s customers are facing when still trying to hit operational targets, with the lowest impact on air quality possible.

This includes exploring potential new solutions like the use of e-cargo bikes to replace some vans for last mile deliveries.

Mark Dickens, managing director at Renault owned vehicle charging solutions subsidiary Elexent, will also be providing an overview of how it is working with cities and businesses to boost plug-in vehicle infrastructure.

Live Q&A

Following the presentations, all three speakers will be taking part in a live panel debate, giving delegates the chance to send questions their way.

There will be eight breakout sessions across the two days (including addressing urban air quality) that will pick up on the decarbonisation and Covid-19 themes.

The topics are: addressing urban air quality; place-based solutions to decarbonise transport; switching to electric; achieving modal shift; decarbonising freight; transport outside cities; data and new mobility trends; and universal and inclusive transport.

Smart Transport would like to thank its Headline Strategic Partners for their support with this virtual event including ABB, Centrica, DAF Trucks, Enterprise, FedEx, Geotab, LeasePlan, Liberty Charge, Macquarie, Raleigh, Renault and Worldline.

Conference website: conference.smarttransport.org.uk.