Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, and Glasgow
Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow each introduced a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) between February 2022 and May 2022.
These LEZs differ to the CAZs – a PCN is payable by the vehicle’s registered keeper when a non-compliant vehicle enters the LEZ, there is no option to pay a charge unlike the CAZs.
All of the Scottish LEZs have the same emission standards and the same penalty scheme. The minimum standards are Euro 4 for petrol cars and vans; Euro 6 for diesel cars and vans; and Euro 5 for buses, coaches and HGVs. A £60 penalty charge will be imposed on any non-compliant vehicle detected in a LEZ, reducing to £30 if it is paid within 30 days. The penalty is doubled for each subsequent violation in the same LEZ, with a cap of £480 for smaller vehicles and £960 for larger ones.
However, there will be a ‘grace period’ in all four cities, lasting until around 1 June 2024, during which non-compliant vehicles will not face any penalty charges.
More information: https://www.lowemissionzones.scot/get-ready/faqs
Bath
A Class C charging CAZ was introduced in the city centre on 15 March 2021. Private cars and motorcycles are not charged. The charge for non-compliant buses, coaches and HGVs is £100 a day, while it is £9 a day for non-compliant taxis, private hire vehicles, minibuses, and vans (including pick-ups and campervans).
More information: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/bath-breathes-2021-overview/overview-scheme
Birmingham
A Class D charging CAZ was introduced on 1 June 2021. This covers the area within the A4540 Middleway Ring Road, though not the Ring Road itself.
All non-compliant cars, taxis and LGVs face a charge of £8 a day. For non-compliant HGVs, coaches and buses, the charge is £50 a day.
In October 2021, Birmingham City Council also published a Transport Plan for the next decade. This proposes a number of extra measures, including limiting access to the city centre for private cars – although these have yet to be turned into official policy.
More information about the current CAZ: https://www.brumbreathes.co.uk/what-does-it-mean-for-me
Bradford
Bradford introduced a Class C+ charging CAZ on 26th September 2022. The plus-sign refers to extra demands that are being made of private hire vehicles.
Non-compliant HGVs, coaches and buses face a daily charge of £50, with charges of £9 for minibuses and LGVs, and £7 for taxis and private hire vehicles.
More information: https://www.bradford.gov.uk/breathe-better-bradford/where-is-the-clean-air-zone/frequently-asked-questions/
Bristol
A small Class D charging CAZ was introduced in Bristol’s city centre on the 28th November 2022. The daily charge is £9 for non-compliant car, taxis and vans, and £100 for HGVs, buses and coaches. Charges apply 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
More information: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/streets-travel/bristol-caz
London - ULEZ now cover all boroughs
London has effectively been operating a CAZ since 2008, when the city introduced its Low Emission Zone (LEZ). This area covers most of Greater London and imposes fees of either £100 or £300 on HGVs and other heavier vehicles that do not meet emission standards.
In 2019, the thinking behind the LEZ was expanded to other vehicles – with the introduction of the ULEZ. At first, it covered the same area as the city’s Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ), but in 2021 it was expanded up to (but not including) the North and South Circular Roads.
Within the ULEZ, non-compliant cars and vans have to pay a daily fee of £12.50. Heavier vehicles do not have to pay any extra fees because of the ULEZ, but they are still bound by the requirements of the wider LEZ.
On 29 August 2023, the ULEZ was expanded to cover all London boroughs.
More information: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone
Newcastle, Gateshead and North Tyneside
A Class C charging CAZ was introduced on 30 January 2023 with non-compliant taxis, buses and HGVs currently being charged. Non-compliant vans will face charges to enter the CAZ from July 2023.
More information: https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/our-city/transport-improvements/transport-and-air-quality/newcastle-and-gateshead-clean-air-zone
https://www.breathe-cleanair.com/
Oxford
A pilot Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) was launched on the 28th February 2022, differing to a CAZ as only zero emission vehicles can enter a ‘red zone’ of several streets in the very centre of the city and not pay a fee. The second phase, subject to consultation, will then be expanded to cover a ‘green zone’ encompassing much of the broader city centre.
Between 7am and 7pm, in the ZEZ, all petrol and diesel vehicles face a charge of some sort – from £2 to £10 a day, depending on emissions – with only zero-emission vehicles fully exempt. The charges are expected to rise to between £4 and £20 a day by August 2025.
More information: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/info/20299/air_quality_projects/1305/background_to_the_oxford_zero_emission_zone_zez
Portsmouth
A Class B charging CAZ was introduced in November 2021. The charge for non-compliant HGVs, buses, coaches, taxis and private hire vehicles is up to £20 a day. Private cars, vans and motorcycles are exempt.
More information: https://cleanerairportsmouth.co.uk/
Sheffield
Sheffield introduced a Class C chargeable zone on 27 February 2023 for the most polluting heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), light goods vehicles (LGVs), vans, buses, coaches and taxis that drive within the inner ring road and city centre. Private cars, motorbikes and lower polluting vehicles will not be charged.
Charges are:
- £50 per day for larger vehicles – such as buses, coaches and HGVs
- £10 per day for smaller vehicles – such as taxis and LGVs
- Larger campervans and motorhomes can apply for a discounted rate, reducing the charge amount to £10
More information: https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/campaigns/clean-air-zone-sheffield
York
City of York Council introduced a CAZ for its public buses in January 2021. The subsequent air quality improvements have negated the need for a broader CAZ, although the council is still looking at other initiatives – such as increasing the stock of electric taxis and encouraging cycling and walking.
More information: http://jorair.co.uk/aqap3/
Forthcoming CAZs
Greater Manchester
The upcoming CAZ in Manchester – or, technically, Greater Manchester – will be the biggest in the country, covering ten different local authorities. It will apply on all local roads in Greater Manchester, but not motorways nor some main trunk roads.
It will be a Class C charging CAZ, with daily fees of £60 for non-compliant HGVs, buses and coaches; £10 for vans and minibuses; and £7.50 for taxis and private hire vehicles. Private cars will be exempt.
But when will it be introduced? The current date is summer 2022, although – perhaps more than any other – Greater Manchester’s CAZ has been pushed back several times. The latest delay came after the area’s Mayor, Andy Burnham, called for more time to assess the impact on local businesses and individuals.
More information: https://cleanairgm.com/clean-air-plans
Other areas
Basildon
Basildon Council has resisted the introduction of a charging CAZ. Instead, they have prioritised non-charging measures, such as a reduced speed limit (of 50mph) on a stretch of the A127 and more charge points for electric vehicles.
More information: https://www.essexhighways.org/highway-schemes-and-developments/highway-schemes/basildon-schemes/air-quality
Cambridge
Cambridge City Council has conducted a ‘feasibility study’ into implementing a CAZ, as well as consulting with local residents. No decisions have yet been made.
More information: https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/improving-air-quality
Canterbury
Canterbury City Council has resisted the idea of a charging CAZ, and is instead looking towards a range of non-charging measures. There is a particular emphasis on anti-idling measures to reduce pollution.
More information: https://www.canterbury.gov.uk/downloads/download/254/air_quality_action_plan
Cardiff
Cardiff Council has ruled out a charging CAZ, but their ten-year transport plan (published in 2020) did propose a £2-a-day congestion charge that could come into effect in 2024.
More information: https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/resident/Parking-roads-and-travel/clean-air-cardiff/Pages/default.aspx
Coventry
Coventry City Council has resisted the idea of a charging CAZ, and is instead looking towards a range of non-charging measures. These include: improving routes for pedestrians and cyclists, road changes, and transitioning to electric buses. However, the national Government has questioned whether these measures go far enough.
More Information: https://www.coventry.gov.uk/news/article/3223/no_clean_air_zone_confirmed_for_coventry
Derby
Derby City Council rejected a charging CAZ in favour of other measures; in particular, better traffic management around certain pollution hotspots.
More information: https://www.derby.gov.uk/trading-standards-environmental-health/environmental-health/environmental-protection/air-quality/
Exeter
Exeter City Council has resisted the idea of a charging CAZ, and is instead looking towards a range of non-charging measures. There is a particular emphasis on encouraging walking and cycling.
More information: https://exeter.gov.uk/clean-safe-city/air-quality/air-quality-action-plan/
Leeds
Leeds City Council had been expected to introduce a Class B charging CAZ at the start of 2020. However, that plan was cancelled because, according to a report published at the end of 2020, businesses switched to cleaner vehicles ‘faster than expected’ – so extra measures were not required.
More information: https://news.leeds.gov.uk/news/leeds-clean-air-zone-has-achieved-its-aims-early-and-is-no-longer-required-joint-review-finds
Leicester
Leicester City Council had been expected to introduce a charging CAZ for buses and taxis, but general improvements in air quality – confirmed by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in late 2021 – mean that that CAZ is no longer necessary. However, Leicester is still pressing ahead with other air quality measures, including schemes to promote walking and cycling.
More information: https://news.leicester.gov.uk/news-articles/2021/november/no-need-for-planned-clean-air-zone-for-buses-and-taxis-as-air-quality-improves/
Liverpool
Liverpool City Council has embarked on a series of studies and consultations to determine which clean air measures could and should be implemented. A charging CAZ has not yet been ruled out – in fact, the council’s website suggested that ‘If it is deemed a requirement, the Clean Air Zone would be implemented in 2023’
More information: https://letscleartheairliverpool.co.uk/faqs/
Nottingham
Nottingham City Council has ruled out a charging CAZ, and is instead looking towards a range of non-charging measures. There is a particular emphasis on increasing the uptake of electric vehicles, including the construction of a charging depot.
More information: https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/information-for-business/environmental-health-and-safer-housing/environmental-health-and-safer-places/air-pollution-and-air-quality/clean-airways-projects/
St Albans
St Albans City and District Council is focusing on non-charging measures, such as anti-idling campaigns.
More information: https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/news/clean-air-zones-proposed-st-albans
Warrington
Warrington Borough Council is said to be ‘not actively pursuing’ a charging CAZ. Instead, their existing Air Quality Action Plan focuses more on changing local attitudes, as a lot of the public are dependent on car travel.
More information: https://www.warrington.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2019-12/final_ltp4_parts_a_and_b.pdf
Wokingham
Wokingham Borough Council has previously suggested that a LEZ might be required in the area, although no decision has been made since. In the meantime, the national Government has provided funding for a number of local, non-charging schemes, such as anti-idling campaigns and projects to limit pollution around schools.
More information: https://publicprotectionpartnership.org.uk/environmental-health/air-quality/air-quality-monitoring/