Like our own bodies, most living things need a healthy heart and a city is no different. Nottingham's heart is its centre; its vitality giving life and energy to the whole City.

To ensure that the City continues to survive in our ever-changing world we must keep its heart healthy.

With over 280,000 residents and around 11 million visitors a year, Nottingham is one of the most vibrant and lively cities in the country where millions of people spend their leisure time.

The second most popular retail centre in England, as well as home to many pubs, restaurants, leisure outlets and an important commercial centre, Nottingham's City Centre is the hub of many activities. Despite this, surveys show visitors' expectations of the Old Market Square are generally not met and a further 70% of local people consider pollution a problem in the City Centre.

To maintain Nottingham's popularity and to continue attracting new visitors to our City Centre, we need an environment that is pedestrian-friendly and free from pollution and congestion. An area where people can sit, relax, soak up the atmosphere and take time to enjoy this great City.

The introduction of the Clear Zone is vital in creating a more pleasant City Centre. All but essential traffic is excluded from the Clear Zone during the middle of the day. This means that in certain areas access will only be allowed at particular times, some routes will be converted into pedestrian streets and only buses, taxis, blue badge holders and trams will be allowed into the Clear Zone.