Are you ready for the launch of the Clean Air Zone?
29 April 2021
Some areas of Birmingham will be entering into a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) from 1 June 2021, leading to a daily charge for those whose vehicles do not meet the emissions standards set.
Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone will cover all roads within the A4540 Middleway Ring Road but not the Middleway itself.
Its launch will mean the owners of high polluting vehicles will be charged to enter certain parts of the city in a bid to tackle levels of nitrogen dioxide above the legal limit.
Unlike a congestion charge, as applied in London where every vehicle to enter a designated area is charged, the Clean Air Zone will only charge those that are the most polluting.
Those who work in the CAZ but live outside of the defined areas, can apply for a temporary worker exemption, which will last until 1 June 2022. Applications must be submitted before 10 May 2021 and you have to meet all three of the following criteria:
• You must be the registered owner/keeper of a vehicle that would otherwise attract a charge
• You must work at least 18 hours a week at a business premises situated within the CAZ
• You must earn no more than £30,000 a year.
Find out how to apply for the permit.
Some vehicles are also exempt from the charge. Find out more about exempt vehicles.
If your vehicle is not subject to the charges, you do not apply for the temporary permit.
Residents in the CAZ can apply for a temporary exemption permit if they meet the following criteria:
• They live at an address within the CAZ
• They own a vehicle that does not met the emission standards for the CAZ and will be subject to the daily charge
• The vehicle is registered to address where they live.
Apply for a residents’ exemption permit.
Again, if your vehicle is not subject to the charges, you do not need to apply for the temporary permit.
The residents’ exemption is available for up to two years from the launch of the CAZ but they will need to renew the permit 12 months after the zone goes live.
