Birmingham Clean Air Zone Charging Order published ahead of 1 June 2021 launch date

The order sets out the full details of how the Clean Air Zone will operate. The order (except Article 7) came into force on 26 April 2021.  Article 7 (Imposition of charges) will come into force on 1 June 2021.

This means that from 1 June 2021 onwards vehicles of specified classes that do not meet the emissions standards set out in the order will, subject to specified exemptions, be required to pay the charge stated in the order to drive in the Birmingham Clean Air Zone. Owners of high polluting vehicles will be charged to drive within the A4540 Middleway (but not the Middleway itself).

The order sets out the temporary and permanent exemptions available, how the council will approach any enforcement associated with non-payment of the Clean Air Zone daily fee and how it intends to use any income generated from the zone.

Temporary exemption permits are available for:

• people who live in the Clean Air Zone
• businesses who store vehicles overnight within the Clean Air Zone.
• people who live outside of the Clean Air Zone but who:
  • work more than 18 hours a week at premises within the Clean Air Zone
  • earned not more than £30,000 in the tax year ending 5 April 2019
  • are the registered owner/ keeper of a non-compliant vehicle

A voucher scheme, which will enable visitors to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Attwood Green Medical Centre and Badger Medical Centre to cancel any charges online. Following conversations with the NHS, this scheme has also been extended to include Millennium Point as a mass vaccination centre.

Stephen Arnold, Head of Clean Air Zone, said: “With less than four weeks to go until the launch of the Clean Air Zone on 1 June 2021, the publication of the Charging Order represents another significant milestone on our journey to cleaner air.  As we move even closer to the zone’s implementation, we are urging people who have not already done so to check if they will be charged and if eligible, apply for a temporary exemption permit or financial support.

“If you are subject to the charges, now is the time to consider your options to either pay the charge or explore alternative options to travelling by private car.”

Those who are eligible for a temporary exemption permit are being advised to apply with all supporting evidence by no later than 10 May 2021 to be guaranteed their exemption in time for the 1 June 2021 launch. Applications submitted after that date will still be processed but there is no guarantee they will be approved in time for the Clean Air Zone and therefore charges will apply.