JUST 20 Isle of Wight applications have been approved for Clean Air Fund grants, with Island commuters urged to apply before Portsmouth's Clean Air Zone (CAZ) comes into effect in November.

Last year Portsmouth City Council was instructed by the Government to introduce a Class B charging CAZ in the south west of the city to improve air quality.

To ensure businesses can adapt their vehicles in time to comply with the CAZ, funding has been made available to help businesses upgrade or retrofit their vehicles, making them cleaner and greener.

This is open to anyone who regularly travels within the CAZ. The funding applies even if the business is based outside Portsmouth, however uptake on the Island has been slow.

Island MP Bob Seely is encouraging eligible Isle of Wight businesses to apply before the funding runs out.

Mr Seely said: “Currently only 17 vehicle applications have been approved for HGVs from the Island, which is nearly half the amount anticipated, and just three vehicle applications have been approved for buses and coaches.

“Across the area impacted by the CAZ there has been a large take up of funding but once the funding is gone, it’s gone, so it’s important Islanders get their applications in quickly.”

Drivers can visit www.cleanerairportsmouth.co.uk and enter their registration number to instantly find out whether they would need to pay a charge to drive in the CAZ.

Anyone wishing to apply for a grant can visit www.portsmouth.gov.uk/cleanairzone

Any business in need of help with their application should get in touch with Portsmouth City Council by calling 02392 834593.