On Monday 15 March, the UK’s first charging Clean Air Zone outside of London went live and is now operating in the city of Bath.
Automatic number plate recognition cameras have been installed on all roads leading into the zone, checking vehicle number plates against DVLA records.
Motorists with non-compliant vehicles, including those from outside the UK, must declare and pay for their journey on the Clean Air Zone charging portal or they will receive a penalty charge notice.
Payments can be made 7 days in advance or 6 days in arrears and business accounts are available to help manage multiple vehicles.
Eligible van drivers driving regularly in the zone could receive up to £4,500 in grants in addition to interest free finance to help them replace a non-compliant vehicle with a similar compliant one. Larger grants are available for buses/coaches (£35,000) and lorries (£20,000). More information is available at www.bathnes.gov.uk/CAZsupport.
Birmingham introduces its Clean Air Zone on 1 June 2021, and following recent consultations both Greater Manchester and Bristol have also announced that a Clean Air Zone will be introduced.
See the BVRLA’s guidance and information on the UK’s proposed Clean Air Zones.