Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Birmingham's Clean Air Zone charging of vehicles begins

Birmingham's Clean Air Zone charging of vehicles begins

BIRMINGHAM'S Clean Air Zone (CAZ) was officially launched on June 1 and drivers of a vehicle not meeting emission standards will be charged with a fee.

However, there was a two-week delay to charges as time was given for motorists to adjust to the new rule.


BBC reports that the daily charge for vehicles that do not meet standards is £8 for cars, vans and taxis, or £50 for HGVs and coaches, unless a valid exemption is in place.

The zone is enforced using Automatic Number Plate Recognition, which records the registration plates of vehicles travelling within the ring road. Anyone who fails to pay within six days after entering the zone would face a £120 fine.

"The Clean Air Zone will help us to address the single biggest environmental risk to public health and I have been clear from the beginning of the scheme that we wanted to make its introduction fair and reasonable," Waseem Zaffar, Birmingham City Council's cabinet member for transport and environment, was quoted as saying.

About 75 per cent of cars will not be charged a fee, but drivers were urged to check their vehicles online before travelling.

The local authority of Birmingham had previously said air pollution contributed to 900 premature deaths a year in the city and it faced a £60m fine if it failed to implement the zone.

More For You

LEAD Hilary McGrady director general c National Trust
Hilary McGrady

National Trust director-general Hilary McGrady gets CBE

Hilary McGrady, director general of the National Trust who has been a good friend to the British Asian community, has been awarded a CBE in the King’s New Year Honours “for services to heritage”.

She has been encouraging British Asians to visit its properties, especially those with Indian connections, and also apply for jobs with the trust or offer to become volunteers.

Keep ReadingShow less