MORE than 48,000 Clean Air Zone fines have been scrapped after drivers refused to pay and challenged the scheme.
Birmingham City Council wiped away the penalties and it has been revealed almost 2,700 are thrown out each month – here’s how to appeal yours.
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Clear Air Zones (CAZ) were kickstarted in June 2021 but the scheme has raised eyebrows following the cancellation of more than one in 20 PCNS since it began.
Up until the end of 2022, it was revealed to BirminghamLive that nearly 70,000 fines weren’t implemented – 20,000 of which were thrown out due to lack of resources to collect payment.
A Birmingham City Council spokesman said: “In the 18-month period, since the start of the enforcement of the Clean Air Zone in 2021, there have been 69,114 penalty charge notices written off so far which is around 6% of the total issued.
“This represents a combination of cases that have been challenged/appealed and the reasons of mitigation accepted/discretion exercised, as per the council’s discretion policy, and cases where the council has been unable to collect payment or trace the registered keeper.
“There have been 48,256 penalty charge notices that have been rescinded so far where the reasons of mitigation have been accepted/discretion exercised, that are included in the total.”
Each month, a shocking 50,000 motorists are being fined for misusing the CAZ.
The scheme has caused controversy as drivers are left baffled at how it works and which area it covers.
However, the city council is expected to make a £50 million profit from the zone by the end of 2023, and claims it is successful in reducing emissions.
“The purpose of the CleanAirZone is to improve air quality in the city centre”, the council added.
“Since its introduction it has helped reduce the number of the most polluting vehicles that enter the zone every day.
“This is helping to improve air quality.”
CAZ cost £8 a day for cars which don’t meet emissions standards and drivers who fail to pay are hit with fines of £120, cut to £60 if paid within 14 days.
The Government has launched an online tool that allows Brits to find out if their motors meet the emissions standards for Birmingham and Leeds clean air zones.
Currently, Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol and Portsmouth all have the zones.
Tyneside also introduced its own Clean Air Zone on 30th January and Sheffield followed suit on 27th February.
Greater Manchester is the third local authority set to introduce a clean air zone in 2023, but the date is to be decided.
Cities are able to choose one of four possible clean air zones from Class A through to Class D.
Each class targets a different type of road vehicle and failure to comply can result in a fine of up to £120.
How to appeal a Clear Air Zone PCN
If you think you received a Clean Air Zone PCN in error or have mitigating circumstances, you can submit an appeal.
You have up to 28 days, from the date of service, which you can find on the PCN to make your appeal.
If it was a local council PCN, received on your windscreen for example, make an informal challenge with the council.
If you were sent a PCN by the council through the post, make a formal challenge called ‘representation’ to the council.
You have 28 days to make a formal challenge (called a ‘representation’) after you get a notice to owner. You must:
- explain your reasons for challenging the PCN in as much detail as possible
- provide copies of any evidence or documents to support your challenge
You will not have to pay the fine if your representation is accepted.
For a Congestion charge PCN – make a representation with Transport for London (TfL).
For a Low emission zone PCN – make a representation with Transport for London (TfL).
If your PCN was issued in London, contact London Tribunals.
Go to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal if your PCN was issued outside London, in England or Wales – this includes PCNs from Dart Charge.
Once the appeal is registered the PCN is put on hold and the amount due will be frozen until a response is sent to you.
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