William Eichler 25 March 2020

Pandemic forces Birmingham to delay launch of Clean Air Zone

Birmingham City Council has written to the Government requesting postponement to the launch of its Clean Air Zone (CAZ) to help protect the economy during the coronavirus pandemic.

A CAZ is a part of a town or city where charges or fines are introduced in order to discourage the use of polluting vehicles. The aim is to improve air quality.

Birmingham’s CAZ was supposed to be introduced this summer. However, the city council has requested to delay the launch of the zone until at least the end of the calendar year.

The local authority said their focus during the pandemic should be on trying to support businesses and employees rather than upgrading vehicle fleets.

‘COVID-19 is having a profound impact on the economy of the city and our preparations for the Clean Air Zone,’ said Cllr Waseem Zaffar, cabinet member for transport and environment.

‘However, air pollution remains an on-going concern for this city. Once we have addressed coronavirus in the immediate term, poor air quality will continue to be a significant issue in the long term, and we should not be complacent.’

He added: ‘We believe that a Clean Air Zone in Birmingham remains the most effective way of making a sustainable improvement to Birmingham’s air quality and we will continue to put in place the infrastructure required to support it.’

Applications remain open for CAZ temporary exemption permits. These will be available to residents, low income workers and businesses in the Clean Air Zone for a period of one to two years after launch.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Team Manager Residential Care Strategy

Essex County Council
Up to £0.0000 per annum
Team Manager Residential Care StrategyPermanent, Full Time£52,428 to £64,950 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Youth Justice Service Practitioner, Mid Essex

Essex County Council
Up to £0.0000 per annum
Youth Justice Service Practitioner, Mid EssexPermanent, Full Time£36,101 to £48,622 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Practitioner - FS&P, Tendring

Essex County Council
£45217 - £54395 per annum
Senior Practitioner - Family Support & Protection , North Essex, TendringPermanent, Full Time£45,217 to £54,395 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Practitioner (AMHP Qualified) - Emergency Duty Service

Essex County Council
£45217.0000 - £54395.0000 per annum
Senior Practitioner (AMHP Qualified) - Emergency Duty ServicePermanent, Full Time£45,217 to £54,395 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) Practice Leader

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£51093 - £54129 per annum
Our MASH team is fully established and operates within a lively and thriving workplace Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.