Birmingham Clean Air Zone

Even if you're not based in the Midlands you may have heard through the national press that Birmingham are have launched a Clean Air Zone on June 1st. 

So what is Birmingham's "Clean Air Zone?"
According to Birmingham City Council the Clean Air Zone; "is an area where targeted action is taken to improve air quality, in particular by discouraging the most polluting vehicles from entering the zone. No vehicle is banned in the zone, but those which do not have clean enough engines will have to pay a daily charge if they travel within the area.

The zone covers the city centre and the surrounding areas.

How does the scheme work?
The scheme operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and any non-compliant vehicle driving in the zone will pay once for the day, then may drive in the area without limit on that day.

But how do I know if my vehicle is non-compliant?
You can enter your details into the governments "clean-air-car-checker" website to see if you'll have to pay the £8 daily charge.

What if you live in the zone and drive a "non-compliant" car?
You may be able to apply for an exemption if you meet the qualifying conditions.

If your car fails the checker then it may be time to sell up and go electric, or even better go Electric Scooter.

The UK government have clean air targets that need to be met and councils are always looking at ways to reduce pollution (and top up the coffers), so get used to the idea of having to pay for driving into city centres. After all we all want clean air to breathe don't we?

It was only a month ago that a coroner ruled that air pollution "made a material contribution" to Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah death. Ella was a 9 year old girl who lived near the South Circular Road in Lewisham, London. 

The coroner said there is "no safe level of particulate matter" in the air and called for national pollution limits to be reduced.