Source: City of Portsmouth
To mark and practically contribute to Clean Air Day on Thursday 19 June, Portsmouth City Council is offering free bus travel across the city — celebrating the progress made in tackling air pollution and the key role buses can play while recognising there’s still more to do.
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. However, a few areas of the city still exceed legal nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) limits, mainly due to older diesel vehicles especially private cars and vans.
While achieving UK legal limits is a key milestone, Portsmouth City Council is committed to going further to better protect public health. Cleaner air benefits everyone — it can ease breathing problems, particularly for children, older people, and those with existing health conditions, and helps create a healthier environment for all.
To tackle remaining pollution hotspots, Portsmouth City Council is stepping up its commitment to cleaner air and healthier travel across the city — and these are just some of the actions already underway.
The council has rolled out 62 electric buses through the government’s ZEBRA scheme, cutting emissions from public transport. Bus services have also been upgraded under the Bus Service Improvement Plan, making them more frequent and reliable.
Walking and cycling are being made safer and more accessible through schemes like the Active Pompey Neighbourhood programme, while 320 new on-street electric vehicle charge points are being installed to support the switch to cleaner cars.
Meanwhile, Portsmouth International Port is progressing towards net-zero emissions, including a UK-first shore power system that allows ships to plug in while docked, significantly reducing pollution.
These initiatives are part of a wider, long-term strategy to make Portsmouth a cleaner, greener and healthier city — with more improvements still to come.
Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport, 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.”
Cllr Kimberly Barrett, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Greening the City, added: “Cleaner air means healthier lives. We’re seeing real progress, but we all have a part to play. Choosing greener ways to travel — even just once a week — can make a big difference for Portsmouth.”
The CAZ will remain in place until air pollution levels stay within legal limits for two consecutive years. Experts are optimistic this could be achieved in the coming years, as cleaner vehicles continue to replace older diesel models. Even after these limits are met, Portsmouth City Council will continue taking proactive steps to further reduce air pollution and safeguard public health.
For more information, visit the Portsmouth City Council website: https://cleanerairportsmouth.co.uk/