Birmingham Clean Air Zone: It's launching soon
It will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Last updated 28th May 2021
The Clean Air Zone is launching in Birmingham (1 June) to help tackle the city's air quality problem by charging the owners of the most polluting vehicles.
More than 300 signs have been installed on the road network surrounding the boundary to inform drivers they are approaching the zone.
Vehicles that do not meet the emission standards for the zone will be detected by an ANPR camera (automatic number plate recognition).
Why does Birmingham need a Clean Air Zone?
Last year in Birmingham, more than 900 people died from air pollution in the city alone.
Director of Public Health for Birmingham City Council, Dr Justin Varney says "it is something that is killing people"
Where is the Clean Air Zone?
Birmingham's Clean Air Zone will cover all roads within the A4540 Middleway Ring Road but not the Middleway itself.
This includes the A38 and tunnels.
The zone will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The charges will be applied daily.
You can search an address or see a list of postcodes to see if it falls within the Clean Air Zone here.
Do I need to pay the daily charge?
If your vehicle meets the following emission standards you will not need to pay the daily charge:
Euro 6 (VI) or better for diesel engine
Euro 4 or better for petrol engines
For diesel/petrol electric hybrids the vehicle should meet the relevant emission standards
Fully electric or hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles will not need to pay the charge
How much is the charge?
The charges for vehicles which do not meet the emission standard will be:
£8 per day for cars, taxi and LGVs
£50 per day for coaches, buses and HGVs
What is a 'day' classified as?
A 'day' is classified as midnight - midnight, not 24 hours from when you enter the zone. During that midnight- midnight timeframe you can enter and leave the zone numerous times and only incur a single charge.
However if they cross the midnight threshold they will be charged for two days.
When should I pay the charge?
Drivers can pay six days in advance of their visit, the day of their visit and six days after the day of their visit, giving a total payment window of 13 days.
Payments can be paid online using the Government's payment system or over the phone by calling 0300 029 8888 (Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm).
Businesses can set up a fleet account by watching a demonstration video.
What happens if I don't pay within the timeframe?
If a driver does not pay within that timeframe, they will be issued with a £120 Penalty Charge Notice. This will be reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
The onus is on the driver to be aware they have entered the zone and to make the payment.
Will I receive notification I've been charged?
No, drivers will not receive notification or a reminder that they have incurred a charge.
Money raised from the charges and subsequent fines will be used to fund sustainable transport-related measures such as walking and cycling routes and public transport, as set out in the Charging Order.
Can I apply for an exemption?
If you need to pay the daily charge you may be able to apply for one of several exemptions or financial incentives.
The legal document which sets out how the zone will operate and who is eligible for support is called the Charging Order.
Can I park in a Clean Air Zone?
Your vehicle is only chargeable when in motion.
The ANPR cameras record vehicles when they are moving, so you would receive a charge for each individual day the vehicle in question is picked up by the cameras.
Your vehicle does not have to be registered as SORN (statutory off-road notification) with the DVLA to avoid charges whilst being stationary.
Find out more:
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