Clean Air Zone

From 1 June 2021 a Clean Air Zone will be introduced to Birmingham to tackle dangerous levels of air pollution in the city which are impacting on public health. This means vehicles which do not meet certain emission standards will be charged to drive within the A4540 Middleway, where Colmore Business District is located, but not the Middleway itself.


Before travelling into Birmingham, check if you will be charged using the Government’s vehicle checker. If your vehicle meets the emission criteria, you will not be charged and can drive into the city as normal. 

If your vehicle is shown as non-compliant, you will need to pay the daily charge or consider an alternative means of transport such as bus, Metro or train. The daily Clean Air Zone charge is £8 per day for cars, taxis and LGVs and £50 per day for coaches, buses and HGVs

A ‘day’ is classified as midnight to midnight, not 24 hours from when you enter the zone. During this timeframe you can enter and leave the zone as many times as you want for a single charge. However if you cross the midnight threshold, ie enter at 10pm and leave at 3am, you will be subject to two charges.

You can pay online using the Government’s payment system or you can call the Government’s Clean Air Zone team on 0300 029 8888 for assistance. 

  • 6 days before the day you use your vehicle in the Clean Air Zone
  • on the day you use your vehicle in the Clean Air Zone
  • 6 days after (up to 11.59 hours on the sixth day) you used your vehicle in the Clean Air Zone

If you live, work or have a business based in the zone, you may be able to apply for a temporary exemption permit or financial incentive.

For more information visit the Brum Breathes website

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