Clean Air Zone begins in Sheffield

The Clean Air Zone in Sheffield has gone live today, 27 February, and will charge polluting vehicles that do not meet minimum emission standards.

The charges will apply to taxis, vans, buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles that do not meet the minimum standards. Private cars and motorbikes will not be charged.

Vehicle owners can check whether they will be charged in Sheffield, and for other Clean Air Zones elsewhere, via the government’s online vehicle checker.

LGV owners based in Sheffield or Rotherham could be eligible to apply for a temporary exemption until midnight on the 4th of June 2023.

An automatic exemption for Hackney Carriage taxis licensed with Sheffield City Council will be in place until midnight on the 4 June. Charging for these vehicles will begin from 5 June 2023.

The charges are £10 per day for vans/LGVs and Taxis and £50 per day for coaches, buses and lorries/HGVs.

Cllr Mazher Iqbal, Co-Chair of the Transport Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee, said: “Protecting the health and wellbeing of current and future generations in Sheffield is a value I believe is shared across the whole of Sheffield. The Clean Air Zone is one of the ways in which the city can do its part to safeguard its future. At the heart of the Clean Air Zone there is a critical mission – to reduce exposure to N02 emissions for everyone and limit the devastating effects it can have. Currently, air pollution contributes to 1 in 20 deaths a year in Sheffield and action must be taken.

“As a city which prides itself on its outdoor and green spaces it is crucial we implement necessary measures to ensure it is a safe place for all. Everyone deserves clean air.

“We are very aware of the challenges the introduction of the Clean Air Zone poses for businesses and vehicle owners and we empathise with those affected. We know it may impact some financially, that’s why we worked hard to secure the best financial package we could from Government for those who need support once the changes are live.”

For more information on the Clean Air Zone, click here.