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Which UK towns and cities will have to pay a congestion charge?

Whilst other headlines have overshadowed environmental plans, the government is still very much set on their Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener. This strategy sets out policies and proposals for decarbonising all sectors of the UK economy to meet an ambitious net-zero target by 2050. One of the main ways they plan to achieve this is through rolling out congestion charges across the UK.

Drivers across the UK are being forced to check whether they will face a daily congestion charge as more zones are rolled out in a bid to reduce air pollution. One of the first cities to implement the changes was London.

Which UK cities and towns are included in the clean air zone schemes?

Car on motorway

As the plan is rolled out things may change, however, here is the current list of towns and cities where the clean air schemes will be rolled out.

LONDON CONGESTION CHARGE – Introduced (expanded on 25 October 2021)

What is it: Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charging older petrol and diesel vehicles in the capital.

When is it going to be introduced: Enforced in the Congestion Charge Zone from 8 April 2019 – expanded 18 times in size to inner London under the LEZ scheme expansions on 25 October 2021.

Vehicles charged: Buses, coaches, taxis (registered black cabs exempt), private hire vehicles (PHVs), heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), light goods vehicles (LGVs) and car drivers.

Cost to car drivers: £12.50 daily charge if a diesel car isn’t Euro 6 or petrol isn’t at least Euro.

BATH CONGESTION CHARGE – Introduced

What is it: The first Clean Air Zone (CAZ) to be introduced outside of London being introduced in March 2021 – but does not charge car drivers.

When is it going to be introduced: Enforced from 15 March 2021.

Vehicles charged:  Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs and LGVs

Cost to car drivers:  Zero 

BIRMINGHAM CONGESTION CHARGE – Introduced

What is it: A daily Clean Air Zone (CAZ) charge for drivers of older petrol and diesel cars to enter the limits of the city ring road.

When is it going to be introduced: Enforced from 1 June 2021

Vehicles charged: Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs LGVs and car drivers. 

Cost to car drivers:  £8 daily charge if a diesel car isn’t Euro 6 or petrol isn’t at least Euro 4

Failure to pay within 6 days of entering Birmingham CAZ will result in a £120 penalty charge.

PORTSMOUTH CONGESTION CHARGE – Introduced

What is it: Clean Air Zone (CAZ) to sting incoming vehicles but not car drivers.

When is it going to be introduced: The Portsmouth Clean Air Zone was launched on 29 November 2021.

Vehicles charged:  Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs and HGVs.

Cost to car drivers: No charge

OXFORD CONGESTION CHARGE – Introduced

What is it: The Oxford Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) was introduced 28 February 2022 with congestion charges to all but electric vehicles to enter 8 city centre streets.

Vehicles charged:  All drivers of vehicles with petrol, diesel or hybrid vehicles.

Cost to car drivers:  £2 – £10 daily charge (£10 for any vehicle not meeting low emission standards rising to £20 in January 2025)

BRADFORD CONGESTION CHARGE – Introduced

Vehicles charged: Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs and LGVs.

Cost to car drivers: Zero

ABERDEEN, DUNDEE, EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW CONGESTION CHARGE – Due June 2024 

What is it: Low Emission Zones (LEZ) banning older petrol and diesel vehicles.

When is it going to be introduced: Spring 2022 but not enforced until June 2024.

It’s worth noting that Glasgow has introduced its Low Emission Zone from 1 June 2023, Aberdeen Enforcement of the LEZ is due to start on 1 June 2024 and Dundee’s enforcement of the LEZ will start on 30th May 2024. Certain vehicles will have exemptions such as Emergency vehicles, military vehicles, disabled (blue) badge vehicle owners, Showman vehicles and historic vehicles (cars and vans manufactured or registered more than 30 years ago)

Vehicles charged: Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs LGVs and car drivers. 

Cost to car drivers:  Penalty Charge Notice of £60 (reduced by 50% if paid within 2 weeks) for non-compliant cars.  

MANCHESTER CONGESTION CHARGE – On hold.

What is it: Clean Air Zone (CAZ) for Greater Manchester, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan.

When is it going to be introduced: It was due to be launched in May 2022, however, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham sent an appeal to move the deadline in order to ensure that the plan was correct before implementing it. There are some issues to be addressed which could set the deadline back a few years.

Greater Manchester is under direction from government to develop a Clean Air Plan and introduce congestion charge zones to meet legal limits for nitrogen dioxide on local roads in the shortest possible time and by 2026 at the latest. The Greater Manchester proposed investment-led Clean Air Plan does NOT include a charging Clean Air Zone.

Vehicles charged: Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs and LGVs.

Cost to car drivers: Zero

NEWCASTLE CONGESTION CHARGE – Introduced.

What is it: The Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zone (CAZ) was launched on January 30th 2023

The Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in Newcastle city centre also includes Gateshead and North Tyneside.

Vehicles charged:  Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs and LGVs.

Cost to car drivers: Zero

BRISTOL CONGESTION CHARGE – Introduced.

What is it: Clean Air Zone (CAZ) charging drivers of older passenger cars who travel in the zone.

The Bristol Clean Air Zone has been enforced since 28th November, 2022

Vehicles charged:  Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs LGVs and car drivers.

Cost to car drivers:  £9 daily charge if a diesel car isn’t Euro 6 or petrol isn’t at least Euro 4.

Find out more about the different types of Euro Emissions . Note – With Bristol Council you’ll have 28 days to pay your Clean Air Zone PCN and the Clean Air Zone charge otherwise the charge will increase by 50%.

SHEFFIELD CONGESTION CHARGE – Introduced.

What is it: An inner-city Clean Air Zone (CAZ) targeted at the dirtiest vehicles – but not cars.

Vehicles charged: Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs and LGVs.

Cost to car drivers: Zero

LIVERPOOL CONGESTION CHARGE – Rejected by council.

What is it: A Clean Air Zone (CAZ) scheme was proposed, however, plans have been rejected by the councillors over fears it would be too pricey for drivers and not as effective as first thought. A new scheme is currently being thought out using traffic lights and penalising drivers who leave their engines idling while stationary. Bus stop locations will also be reviewed.

Congestion charge zone checker 

If the scheme has been introduced in your city and you are wondering if you will need to pay a charge, you can use the government’s congestion charge zone checker to find Clean Air Zones near you. For London, specifically, you can find out how much you’ll need to pay on the London Transport Website

In summary

You may have noticed that the schemes focus heavily on commercial vehicles, however, there are some instances where cars will face charges. These charges have been rolled out in London, Bath, Birmingham, and Portsmouth however most major cities in the UK taht haven’t already done so will be introducing CAZ and LEZ zones in 2024. 

You can currently check on the government website to find out if the region you live in (or will be travelling to) is a Clean Air Zone. If you are travelling through London you will want to check the London Transport website.

A word to the Wise

With the net-zero 2050 deadline fast approaching you may be considering getting an electric vehicle. 

Questions around the reliability of electric vehicles have been raised. The durability of the battery operating system (EV Powertrain) has been a hot topic for discussion. We have addressed some of the myths around the durability of EV batteries in our article EV powertrain durability myths, which should hopefully put your mind at ease. 


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