How the new clean air zone around Birmingham works

What cars and vehicles have to pay the clean air zone charge?

The new clean air zone in Birmingham will charge motorists to travel within the city centre if they drive high-polluting vehicles.

This includes diesel models built before 2015 and petrol models built prior to 2006, due to the higher levels of nitrogen dioxide they produce.

How much is the clean air zone charge?

Cars, taxis and vans will be charged £8 for entry, while buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles will be charged £50.

The fees will renew every day, rolling from midnight to midnight, meaning a commuter could end up paying £40 during a five-day working week and a lorry driver could pay £250.

When does the charge apply?

The scheme operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Drivers must pay one charge for each day that they drive inside the zone.

How do I check if my vehicle is eligible to be charged?

You can check whether your vehicle will be charged by visiting the Government website at www.gov.uk/clean-air-zones.

Birmingham City Council has sent out letters to motorists who have recently driven vehicles in the clean air zone that would be eligible to be charged but drivers will not be notified of the need to pay when the charge comes into force.

How and when do I pay?

The responsibility will be on the driver to pay - you will not get an alert in any form apart from signs installed on the side of the road.

Motorists can pay on the Government clean air zone website or by calling the Government's clean air zone team on 03000 298888.

There is some flexibility around paying in terms of the time frame.

Motorists can pay either six days before travel, on the day itself, or six days after - making a total payment window of 13 days.

What happens if I don't pay?

If motorists do not pay within the allocated time frame, they will be fined.

A penalty charge notice of £120will be sent in the post, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. Details on how to pay these fines can be found on the council's website.

What vehicles are exempt?

Some vehicles will be exempt from charge, including emergency and armed forces vehicles, and some commercial vehicles operating at businesses within the clean air zone.

Some people who live in the zone, or commute into it, can apply for a temporary exemption and/or financial incentives if they earn under £30,000 a year. Incentives such as money towards a cleaner car can be applied for via the brumbreathes website.

Businesses based in the zone can also apply for temporary permits for up to two vehicles.

People travelling for certain medical appointments can also apply for an exemption.

Where is the Birmingham clean air zone?

All roads within the A4540 Middleway ring road which circles Birmingham city centre are included in the clean air zone.

The Middleway itself is not included but the A38 and its tunnels through the city centre are included.

Areas such as New Street, Digbeth, Lee Bank and Ladywood are all included.

Affected postcodes include B1, B10, B12, B15, B16, B18, B19, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7 and B9.

How will I know I am in the clean zone?

New signs have been installed.

A total of 300 signs have also been put up around the area to alert motorists they will be entering the zone.

How will the council tell if I have entered the zone?

The council has 67 Automatic Number Plate Recognition [ANPR] in place that will pick up registration plates and monitor vehicles inside the clean air zone.

What are the people behind the clean air zone saying?

Councillor Waseem Zaffar MBE, who is environment and transport boss at Birmingham City Council, is looking forward to the scheme finally starting a year later than was originally planned.

He said: "June 1 signifies a better day for Birmingham and has been more than three years in the making. I am not only proud to reach this momentous occasion, but also excited for what it means for the future of our city.

"The clean air zone represents the catalyst for change in Birmingham as we work to move away from private cars as being the automatic first choice for travel."