At least 12 UK cities and large towns are planning to introduce Clean Air Zones.

These new Clean Air Zones (CAZ) will be introduced either this year or in 2022. This follows the launch of a CAZ in Bath in March 2021, and in Birmingham on 1st June. Aimed at reducing urban pollution, CAZ areas charge petrol and diesel vehicle for entering the zone.

Oxford launches its Zero Emission Zone trial in August, while the London ULEZ is expanding out to the North and South Circulars in October. Bristol is aiming to start its CAZ the same month, while Bradford, Portsmouth, Newcastle, Gateshead and North Tyneside should follow later in the year. In 2022, we should see Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow open CAZs between February and May, followed by Greater Manchester and Liverpool.

The precise rules vary – motorcycles are exempt in some zones, such as the Birmingham scheme, while in London exemption applies to classic bikes (more than 40 years old) or those meeting or bettering Euro 3 emissions limits. To check whether you need to pay, click here for Bath and Birmingham, and click here for London. The BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association) has a useful guide to CAZs.

Written by Peter Henshaw