Sheffield Clean Air Zone: Everything You Need to Know
Everything you need to know about Sheffield's clean air zone
Like several other cities in the UK, Sheffield have brought in a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) to help reduce air pollution and make the city safer and healthier for its residents.
On the 27th of February 2023, Sheffield’s Clean Air Zone went live. If you live locally or drive through Sheffield on a regular basis, here is everything you need to know about Sheffield’s Clean Air Zone.
What is the Sheffield Clean Air Zone?
The Clean Air Zone is a portion of the city centre which high-polluting vehicles have to pay to drive within the zone. This is to deter vehicles which produce a high amount of unhealthy emissions from the area, in turn, making the area a cleaner, safer place to live.
Since air pollution is estimated to contribute to as many as 36,000 premature deaths in the UK every year, Sheffield’s Clean Air Zone is a way to tackle these numbers and work towards Sheffield’s citizens breathing cleaner air.
Where is the Sheffield Clean Air Zone?
The Sheffield Clean Air Zone covers the city centre within the ring road (the A61). The University of Sheffield lies within the CAZ, as does Sheffield Hallam University. There are ultiple public transport stops within the zone, such as Castle Square, City Hall, West Street, and Neverthorpe Road.
These areas are marked with road signs adorned with green cloud symbols.
How Can You Tell if You're in the Zone?
If you haven’t double checked your route before you drive through Sheffield, there is no need to panic. You will be able to tell if you are in the Clean Air Zone by the blue road signage that will be around the area.
They have a small green cloud in the middle of the sign, with a ‘C’ to signify the class of Clean Air Zone.
What Vehicles Will Be Charged to Drive in the Sheffield Clean Air Zone and Which are Exempt?
Clean Air Zones all follow the same scheme, to decide which vehicles are charged for driving through the area. Sheffield is a Class C CAZ, which means that private cars and motorcycles do not need to pay a charge, even if they don’t comply with emissions standards.
However, taxis, minibuses, buses, coaches, and HGVs must pay to drive in the zone if they do not comply with emissions standards.
Who is Exempt from the Clean Air Zone Charges?
Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs) have an exemption until June 2023. If you have a vehicle which is under a disabled tax class or disabled passenger tax class, you are exempt from all Clean Air Zones in the UK. Same goes for certain agricultural vehicles, registered historic vehicles, and military vehicles, as well as ultra-low emission vehicles (such as EVs and certain Hybrids) and vehicles which are retrofitted under the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme.
The Council also offer exemptions and discounts to local people dependent for an array of different reasons, such as owning a Sheffield-registered Hackney Carriage or a vehicle which is used for community transport. You will have to apply for these exemptions. You can see a full list of exemptions and discounts, and apply for them, on the Sheffield City Council website.
What are the Charges to Drive in Sheffield’s Clean Air Zone?
The cost of driving a non-compliant vehicle in Sheffield’s Clean Air Zone for vans, taxis, and LGVs is £10 per day. For coaches, buses, lorries, and HGVs, it is £50 per day. You can pay the CAZ charge on the government website from six days before and six days after the time you have driven in the zone.
If you fail to pay the charge within these twelve days, you will be fined £120. This will be halved to £60 if you pay the fine within two weeks.
How Can I Check If I Will Be Charged to Drive in the Sheffield Clean Air Zone?
You can check your personal vehicle on the GOV.UK website to see if you will be charged to drive through the Sheffield Clean Air Zone.
By owning an electric vehicle, you would not have to worry about the costs of driving in any Clean Air Zones across the country.