Birmingham clean air zone to cover cars

AIR QUALITY

Councillors in Birmingham will be asked to authorise a consultation next week on a charging clean air zone (CAZ) covering all types of vehicle, including cars.  

The proposal (see page 16), comes as Leeds City Council this week announced changes to its  Category B charging CAZ, covering buses, coaches, HGVs, taxis and private hire vehicles. The revisions, which follow a consultation, include a smaller boundary and a reduction in the daily charge for some non-compliant vehicles. 

The Freight Transport Association welcomed the changes announced by Leeds.“Leeds Council has listened to a key FTA argument about restricting the size of zones where possible,” it said. “The proposed boundary of the city’s zone has been adjusted to achieve the same air quality effects, while reducing the number of HGVs located within the zone from 13,000 to an estimated 4,500. 

“The charge for entering the zone will be £50 per day for HGVs – half that of London – and this should be enough to deter almost all operators but make it feasible for occasional essential trips by an older vehicle.”