Birmingham City Council fines itself 470,000 for breaking Clean Air Zone rules

The Independent describes funding and reporting practices focused on separating facts from messaging and keeping journalism accessible without paywalls. Birmingham City Council has paid more than 470,000 to itself in fines after its own vehicles broke the council’s Clean Air Zone policy. Since the scheme began in the city centre five years ago, non-compliant vehicles in the council fleet have led to 3,262 daily charges and fines totaling 472,253. Clean Air Zones charge vehicles that do not meet minimum emissions standards, while other measures include retrofitting vehicles or rerouting traffic. In Birmingham, daily charges are 8 for cars, vans, and taxis, and 50 for HGVs and coaches unless an exemption applies. Unpaid charges within six days incur a 120 fine, reduced to 60 if paid within 14 days. Data obtained by the BBC under Environmental Information Regulations does not specify whether higher fines were paid for late payment across all five years.

"Birmingham City Council has paid more than 470,000 to itself in fines after its own vehicles have been breaking the council's Clean Air Zone policy. Since the scheme, known as Caz, began in the city centre five years ago, non-compliant vehicles belonging to the council's fleet have resulted in 3,262 daily charges and fines amounting to 472,253."

"Clean Air Zones charge for vehicles that do not comply with minimum emissions standards, while others use measures for improving air quality, such as retrofitting certain vehicles or rerouting traffic. The daily charge for cars, vans and taxis is 8 in Birmingham, and 50 for HGVs and coaches unless a valid exemption is in place."

"Anyone who fails to pay within six days after entering the zone faces a 120 fine, which is reduced to 60 if paid within 14 days. The data, obtained by the BBC using the Environmental Information Regulations, did not specify if the council paid higher fines for late payment over all of the five years."

"The most recent fines in the past financial year covered by council purchase cards were all paid by City Operations. Clean air z"

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