Nearly 7,000 people fined from Sheffield's 'Clean Air Zone' in its first month of operation

New figures show it helped Sheffield City Council earn over £200,000 between February & March

Author: Chris Davis-SmithPublished 10th May 2023
Last updated 10th May 2023

New figures show that almost 7,000 people were fined breaching the rules of Sheffield's clean air zone in its first month of operation.

In total, Sheffield City Council made over £200,000 overall between February & March.

You can see the full breakdown of the figures below from the local authority:

CAZ Charges

• Below is the available data (from the last financial quarter), which covers the period 27 February to 31 March.

• By ‘charges’ we are referring to CAZ entry fee payments made by motorists using the national clean air zone payment service. Motorists have a 13-day payment window to pay the entry fee for the Clean Air Zone (CAZ), covering six days before, six days after and the day of travel.

• During this period, CAZ charges received were £175,512 (income less debit and credit charge service fees and refunds issued)

CAZ Fines

• By ‘fines’ we are referring to Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) which are issued when a motorist does not pay their CAZ entry fee within the 13 day CAZ entry fee payment window. PCN payments were taken through Sheffield City Council’s payment channels, rather than the national CAZ payment service.

The full rate of a CAZ PCN is £120, plus the outstanding zone entry fee (£10 or £50, depending on the vehicle). PCNs can be paid within 14 days of issue at a half price discount rate, i.e. £60 plus the outstanding entry fee. For journeys made between 27 February to 27 March 2023, a ‘soft enforcement’ offer was made to all motorists entering the zone. During this period, motorists that hadn’t paid their CAZ entry fee within the required 13-day payment window were offered a second chance to pay their entry fee (£10 or £50) within a further seven-day period.

• There were 6986 PCNs issued between 27 February and 31 March 2023. For clarity PCNs for the same vehicle are counted separately.

• The total amount of PCN payments made within this period was £35,060 on a cash basis.

What will happen to the money?

• Income from the CAZ will be used to run and maintain the zone.

• Any surplus income has to be put towards other sustainable transport schemes in the city, in line with our Sheffield Clean Air Zone Charging Order (Annex 5).

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