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Original poster

Who knew you had to pay to drive in Birmingham?????

232 replies

NichyNoo · 21/08/2021 14:14

Went to Birmingham recently for a weekend mini break. Received a penalty notice in the post today as apparently Birmingham is a clean air zone and you’re supposed to know this and pay £8 per day to drive in the city. I’m guessing another fine is in the post for the Sunday when we drove out of Birmingham. We didn’t see this advertised anywhere so no idea how we were supposed to know - two fines of £120 Shock I know about the london congestion charge but do any other cities have this charge to drive so we don’t get caught out again?

OP posts:
NeverTalkToStrangers · 21/08/2021 14:57

You can pay online any time within the six days prior to your journey or six days after which is pretty generous - I assume it’s a bedding in period.

BlackeyedSusan · 21/08/2021 14:59

Trying to navigate in a strange city is a bloody nightmare. We missed the introduction as it was delayed because not many people knew about it. Have to go to hospital with a disabled child who does not do buses.

MissyB1 · 21/08/2021 15:00

@tapihomeware

Sorry what? The clear air thing is public knowledge, it’s all anyone has been talking about in recent months

If you’ve been away from Birmingham for so long that you were unaware, it’s your fault. There were plenty of warnings for residents

Eh??! So as long as Birmingham residents are in the know sod everyone else, let them get caught out eh??! Hmm

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Driving & parking
DismantledKing · 21/08/2021 15:02

Eh??! So as long as Birmingham residents are in the know sod everyone else, let them get caught out eh??!

As a PP has said, it’s been on the national news. Unless you want B’ham City Council to leaflet your house in particular?

Sparklingbrook · 21/08/2021 15:03

@BlackeyedSusan

Trying to navigate in a strange city is a bloody nightmare. We missed the introduction as it was delayed because not many people knew about it. Have to go to hospital with a disabled child who does not do buses.
I agree, when navigating around a busy, strange city centre you are looking at what lane you need to be in, where you need to turn, checking speed limits etc. I recently drove into Chester which I have done so many times before. Turns out the whole city ring roads have been made temporarily one way. Stressful, never have I been so grateful to park up at a hotel, after eventually finding the car park.
Sparklingbrook · 21/08/2021 15:04

@DismantledKing

Eh??! So as long as Birmingham residents are in the know sod everyone else, let them get caught out eh??!

As a PP has said, it’s been on the national news. Unless you want B’ham City Council to leaflet your house in particular?

I live about an hour from Birmingham, and used to live in the suburbs of it but I didn't know. And I do keep up with the news.
LonelySock · 21/08/2021 15:06

Not seen it on the national news, didn't see signs, was concentrating on getting to the right carpark for the theatre, had a car full of people (so much more environmentally friendly than everyone making their own way there in smaller cars!).

Didn't know anything about it. Got sent a fine. Letter dated a month ago so I am appealing but will probably have to pay the £120 😔

It's not just you!

LonelySock · 21/08/2021 15:06

Not seen it on the national news, didn't see signs, was concentrating on getting to the right carpark for the theatre, had a car full of people (so much more environmentally friendly than everyone making their own way there in smaller cars!).

Didn't know anything about it. Got sent a fine. Letter dated a month ago so I am appealing but will probably have to pay the £120 😔

It's not just you!

Asdf12345 · 21/08/2021 15:07

I’d not heard of it either, but don’t live near Birmingham.

Asdf12345 · 21/08/2021 15:08

You may find if you phone up and explain plus apologise they drop the fine and just ask for whatever the standard fee is (the Dublin toll people did that when I called).

MorganSeventh · 21/08/2021 15:08

Yes there's a CAZ. I knew and I don't drive! It's on the electronic notice boards along the routes into the city centre.

JammyDozen · 21/08/2021 15:09

Sounds like this is like the bridge in Runcorn so you can pay after. Annoying if you forget obviously, but not an automatic £60 or more. I think the period for payment is relatively generous too.

If I’d driven into Birmingham and seen these signs I’d have been concerned, but just checked when I could and made payment if necessary. They’re making it pretty easy to avoid a fine from everything I can see.

AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 21/08/2021 15:09

@tapihomeware

Sorry what? The clear air thing is public knowledge, it’s all anyone has been talking about in recent months

If you’ve been away from Birmingham for so long that you were unaware, it’s your fault. There were plenty of warnings for residents

Maybe if you live in or near Burmingham or have been there recently it's public knowledge but, shock horror, not on the radar or the other 30million of us

I'm pretty well informed and haven't heard anything about this

Thank you @NichyNoo I now know in case I ever need to go there.

FireFLYing19 · 21/08/2021 15:09

You can check on the gov.uk website whether you need to pay the charge or not if you've been driving through Birmingham. You put your reg details in and it will tell you. I went a few weeks ago and noticed the signs, checked whether I needed to pay online and I didn't need to.

KingsHeathen · 21/08/2021 15:10

@Sparklingbrook I don't trust that gov.uk site- it says that my car is ok and wouldn't be charged... but I know my car (a petrol estate!!) is Euro3 standard for emissions not euro4 as Birmingham requires, so I think it's bunkum that I wouldn't be charged. Hmm

Blossomtoes · 21/08/2021 15:11

It’s news to me but I’ve just discovered there’s no charge for either of our cars anyway. 😊

MrsMoastyToasty · 21/08/2021 15:11

Bath has a congestion charge and Bristol is about to bring one in .
I work in Bristol and the front of our office is going to be within it and the rear entrance is going to be outside it. You can guess which way I'll be driving to the office. We are already in a residents parking zone.

Blossomtoes · 21/08/2021 15:12

I don't trust that gov.uk site

I know the government are lying bastards but I think that’s taking paranoia a bit far!

Sparklingbrook · 21/08/2021 15:13

[quote KingsHeathen]@Sparklingbrook I don't trust that gov.uk site- it says that my car is ok and wouldn't be charged... but I know my car (a petrol estate!!) is Euro3 standard for emissions not euro4 as Birmingham requires, so I think it's bunkum that I wouldn't be charged. Hmm[/quote]
Interesting. I'll bear that in mind, thank you. I am not surprised by my car but I would think DH's would be charged. I might stick to the train though because I drove in a few years ago and it was all very different to how I remember,

Just saw your username and it reminded me of The Hare and Hounds. Happy days.

girlmom21 · 21/08/2021 15:13

If you didn't see a single sign I'd suggest getting your eyes tested before you do another long journey.

There are illuminated digital signs all over the place as well as the ones PP's have shared.

Gooseberrypies · 21/08/2021 15:13

@Blossomtoes

I don't trust that gov.uk site

I know the government are lying bastards but I think that’s taking paranoia a bit far!

I mean, the poster knows it's given them the wrong information, so not exactly paranoia?
SpnBaby1967 · 21/08/2021 15:14

I had no idea about this and I drove round birmingham a few weeks ago. Luckily my "gas guzzling SUV that has no place in a city" doesnt need to be paid for Grin

FireFLYing19 · 21/08/2021 15:15

Take a screenshot of it saying your car is okay and charge free so if they get in contact with you with a fine, you can appeal it.

Blossomtoes · 21/08/2021 15:15

poster knows it's given them the wrong information, so not exactly paranoia?

It’s given her the correct information which she could use in her defence if she was fined. 🤷‍♀️

NeverTalkToStrangers · 21/08/2021 15:17

Unless Kingsheathen’s petrol car is over fifteen years old it’s pretty unlikely that it would be charged - it’s only normally diesels which get charged.