5th May 2023
Air pollution is a growing concern for the public health in the UK, with toxic emissions having negative effects on health and the environment. In response, many cities in the UK are taking measures to help reduce pollution levels and improve air quality.
On 15 March 2021, a Class C CAZ was introduced in the centre of Bath. Vehicles which don’t meet the emission standards have to pay the following daily charge:
Private cars and motorbikes are not charged, even if they’re used for work.
To find out more information about Bath’s CAZ click here.
On 1st of June 2021, Birmingham launched a Class D CAZ. The CAZ covers all roads within the A4540 Middleway Ring Road but not the Middleway itself. The daily charge to drive through Birmingham’s CAZ is:
For further information visit Birmingham Clean Air Zone| Birmingham City Council.
On 26th September 2022, Bradford introduced a Class C CAZ to tackle the city’s pollution levels. The Bradford zone covers the area inside, and including, the Bradford outer ring road.
Vehicles which don’t meet the emission standards will need to pay the following daily charge to drive through Bradford’s CAZ.
Charges will not apply to passenger cars and motorbikes, even if used for work.
More information can be found on Bradford Clean Air Zone.
The Greater Manchester’s CAZ was due to be introduced on 30th May 2022, however the plans are on hold after concerns were raised by the Mayor over the supply chain challenges in the market for vehicles which comply with the CAZ requirements, and the increasing cost of living.
The original CAZ plan included a Greater Manchester-wide category C charging CAZ. Only the most polluting vehicles which don’t comply with the emission standards would have been charged between £7.50 to £60 to drive in the zone.
The local authorities have announced that they are committed to improve the air quality in the area, but in a way that doesn’t put jobs, livelihoods and businesses at risk.
Since the original plans have been scrapped, Greater Manchester has submitted a new non-charging Clean Air Plan which is being reviewed by the government.
London’s ULEZ is expanding on 29th August 2023 across all London boroughs to help improve air quality for all Londoners. The expanded ULEZ will operate 24 hours a day, midnight to midnight, every day of the year, except Christmas day (25 December).
If your vehicle doesn’t meet the emission standards, you need to pay a daily charge.
If your vehicle doesn’t meet the emission standards inside the expanded ULEZ and isn’t exempt, you need to pay a £12.50 daily charge (this includes residents of the ULEZ, however, you don’t need to pay the charge if you are parked inside the zone and don’t drive). The daily charge applies to:
Lorries, vans or specialist heavy vehicles (over 3.5 tonnes) and buses, minibuses and coaches (over 5 tonnes) do not need to pay the ULEZ charge. They need to pay the LEZ charge if they don’t meet the LEZ emission standards.
Find out more details here.
On Monday 3rd October, a CAZ was introduced in Newcastle and Gateshead to help tackle air pollution. The zone covers most of Newcastle city centre, including the Tyne Bridge, Redheugh Bridge, Swing Bridge and High Level Bridge.
Private vehicles can enter the zone free of charge.
Charging is being introduced in 2 phases. Non-compliant taxis, private hire vehicles, buses, coaches and HGVs are being charged from 30 January 2023. Charges for vans and light goods vehicles will apply from July 2023 to allow additional time for owners to upgrade their vehicles due to national vehicle supply issues.
Find out more details, here.
The first Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) went live in Oxford on 28th February 2022. The zero emission zone covers areas of the city centre.
The daily charge which non-compliant vehicle must pay is:
The daily charge from August 2025 will double.
More information about Oxford ZEZ can be found here.
Portsmouth is another city where CAZ class B has been approved and was launched in November 2021. The location of the proposed zone is south west of Portsmouth.
The daily charge to travel through the zone for non-compliant vehicles is:
Private cars, motorcycles and vans will not be charged.
To find out more information, click here.
On 27th February 2023, Sheffield has introduced a class C CAZ, covering the inner ring road and city centre.
Vehicles which don’t meet the emission standards need to pay the following daily charge to drive through the zone:
Private cars and motorbikes are not charged.
More information can be found here.
In York, the CAZ was introduced in January 2020 and it only applies to local bus services. CAZ restrictions do not apply to private cars, vans, taxis, HGVs or coaches.
Find out more details here.
Scotland Low Emission Zones (LEZ)
Aberdeen LEZ was introduced on 30th May 2022 with a grace period of 2 years. The LEZ will come into full effect in June 2024. The initial penalty charge for all non-compliant vehicles is set at £60, reduced by 50% if it is paid within 14 days. More information can be found here.
Dundee LEZ was introduced on 30th May 2022 with a grace period of 2 years, meaning that enforcement will commence on 30th May 2024. The initial penalty charge for driving a non-compliant vehicle on a road within the LEZ area for all non-compliant vehicles is set at £60, reduced by 50% if it is paid within 14 days. More information is available here.
Edinburgh LEZ was introduced on 31st May 2022. Enforcement of the LEZ will start on 1 June 2024, following a two-year grace period for all. Initial penalty for all non-compliant vehicles will be £60, reduced by 50% if it is paid within 14 days. Find out more details here.
Glasgow LEZ Phase 2 is going to be introduced on 1st June 2023 for all vehicles. Phase 1 was launched in December 2018, only applicable to buses. Enforcement for vehicles registered to a residential property within the zone area will start on 1 June 2024. All non-compliant vehicles entering the LEZ will receive an initial penalty charge of £60. More details can be found here.
Wales
The Welsh government has published ‘Clean Air Plan for Wales: Healthy Air, Healthy Wales’ which outlines the commitments and steps to improve air quality. One of the actions was to publish a Clean Air Zone Framework in Spring 2021, however, it has been delayed to allow for joint policy development of wider Road User Charging policy with Transport, with a timescale 2022-26.
All electric vehicles are exempt from CAZ, ULEZ, LEZ and ZEZ