News news
#TimeToAct on wood burners
Lighting fires in our homes is the largest source of harmful small particle air pollution in the UK. That is why we are supporting the first-ever Clean Air Night on 24 January 2024.
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Fun without fireworks
There are many reasons why people prefer to have #FunWithoutFireworks, with the impact they can have on air quality increasingly changing people’s habits.
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Birmingham's Clean Air Zone continues to help improve air quality in the city centre
Birmingham City Council has published its latest progress report for the Clean Air Zone.
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#TimeToAct on Clean Air Day
On 15 June 2023, at Birmingham New Street Station, over 600 members of the public made a pledge to improve air quality in the city.
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Clean Air Day celebration event encourages small changes to make a big difference
Shoppers and commuters at Birmingham’s Grand Central have an opportunity to make a personal pledge to improve air quality at Thursday’s Clean Air Day event.
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It’s #TimeToAct
A new campaign has launched to continue our efforts to improve the quality of the city’s air.
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Clean air efforts in Birmingham highlighted in Chief Medical Officer’s report
The Chief Medical Officer’s annual report has shone a light on efforts being made in Birmingham to achieve improvements to the city’s air quality.
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More reasons to travel green thanks to new mobile app
A new mobile app aims to incentivise Birmingham residents to form greener and healthier travel habits with the offer of weekly prizes.
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Clean Air Zone sees city centre air quality improve in its first year
Air quality in central Birmingham has improved since the Clean Air Zone was implemented a year ago and has seen a significant fall in the percentage of most polluting vehicles entering the city centre
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Cleaning up and greening up the UK’s second city
Councillor Waseem Zaffar MBE, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, talks about why cleaning up Birmingham’s air remains a top priority.
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Clean Air Zone interim report provides evidence of impact on air pollution
Birmingham City Council has published an interim report on the impact of the Clean Air Zone providing evidence that the levels of the air pollutant nitrogen dioxide are reducing in the city centre.
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Modeshift Stars scheme continues to empower active travel across Birmingham
ModeShift STARS is continuing to encourage businesses to promote sustainability through active travel.
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Big Birmingham Bikes giveaway
Big Birmingham Bikes scheme distributes first round of bikes to people.
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Car Free School Streets are springing-up around Birmingham
Colmore Junior and Infant School is one in the next round of Birmingham schools that will benefit from a Car Free School Street, this Easter.
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Birmingham’s Clean Air strategy: blue sky thinking for a greener city
The council has launched a crucial strategy to create a bolder, greener vision for the city.
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Temporary exemption for booster appointments at Millennium Point
Drivers attending vaccination appointments at Millennium Point can now claim a medical exemption voucher from Clean Air Zone charges.
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The holiday season is upon us! Have you done your checks?
The holidays are upon us! Please remember to do all your checks before you travel.
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Visiting the German Market? Check before your travel
Birmingham's annual German Market and Ice Rink have returned this year, but remember to check before you travel!
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Birmingham City Council and ESB Energy launch new electric vehicle charging network
Birmingham City Council and ESB Energy launch new electric vehicle charging network.
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Birmingham's first Clean Air Zone report is published
Birmingham City Council has published its first monthly performance report for the Clean Air Zone, which launched on 1 June 2021.
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National Express makes biggest ever cuts to bus fares
National Express West Midlands has implemented new ticket prices to coincide with the lifting of Covid restrictions which will save the average commuter over £130 a year.
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Consultation launches on city centre proposals to help Birmingham cut carbon emissions
Birmingham residents are being asked to comment on proposals that will transform access to the city centre, with the aim of reducing through journeys to improve air quality and achieve carbon targets.
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Birmingham gets first hydrogen bus
Birmingham City Council has unveiled the first of its 20 new hydrogen buses, which are set to be in operation later this year.
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Take part in the UK’s biggest cycle commuting event
People are being encouraged to sign u for this year's national Cycle to Work Day on 5 August.
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Get a free cycle ride
To celebrate the launch of West Midlands Cycle Hire you can enjoy your first 30-minute bike ride absolutely free.
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Metro Eastside Extension
From 25 July until October, Midland Metro services will terminate at Bull Street.
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Reimagining transport in the West Midlands: a conversation about change
Transport for West Midlands is looking for people to take part in its latest engagement survey.
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Fleet management survey
To improve air quality, some local authorities are introducing Clean Air Zones - charging zones are now live in Bath and Birmingham.
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Birmingham secures funding for electric bikes
Birmingham City Council will roll-out the electric bicycles later this year in partnership with local organisations, to help increase cycling provision for vulnerable people and the wider community.
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Birmingham residents receiving vaccinations at Millennium Point exempt from Clean Air Zone charge
Birmingham residents are able to get a ‘walk-in’ vaccination at Millennium Point from this week and are also exempt from Clean Air Zone charges if driving a non-compliant vehicle.
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Council recognised for green travel plans
Birmingham City Council has been awarded Modeshift STARS Business Bronze Accreditation for its green travel initiatives and encouraging staff to take-up more sustainable methods of transport.
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Pledge to make a change this Clean Air Day
Birmingham City Council will celebrate Clean Air Day on 17 June with a week-long engagement event in the city centre, designed to encourage people to consider how they can help reduce air pollution.
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Payments for the Clean Air Zone go live
From 0:01am on 14 June 2021 drivers entering Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone, in a vehicle that does not meet its emission standards, will be required to pay the daily fee, unless subject to an exemption.
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Birmingham’s journey to cleaner air takes it next step forward
Tuesday 1 June 2021 marks the launch of Birmingham's Clean Air Zone with a colourful exhibition at the Library of Birmingham.
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First car purchased through Birmingham Clean Air Zone Vehicle Scrappage Scheme collected from Motorpoint
Peter Crowther has become the first person to purchase a vehicle from Motorpoint through the Clean Air Zone Vehicle Scrappage and Travel Scheme.
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National Express announces bus fare cuts and contactless capping
National Express West Midlands is cutting the price of the peak day ticket from £4.60 to £4 when the Government removes all legal limits on social contact - currently planned to be 21 June 2021.
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New plans for Paradise prioritise public transport and active travel
The newly-unveiled Paradise Public Transport Improvement Scheme looks to respond to the city’s air pollution challenges by prioritising the road for buses, trams, taxis (hackney carriage) and bicycles
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Telling the story of Clean Air through Birmingham voices
Birmingham City Council launches a thought provoking film today (Thursday 13 May) on the city’s journey to clean air.
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Applications to the Clean Air Zone Vehicle Scrappage and Travel Credit Scheme are now open
Birmingham City Council has officially launched its Clean Air Zone Vehicle Scrappage and Travel Credit Scheme
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Birmingham Clean Air Zone Charging Order published ahead of 1 June 2021 launch date
With one month to go until the launch of Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone, Birmingham City Council has published the Birmingham Clean Air Zone Charging Order 2021.
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Bimingham City Council publishes Active Travel review
A comprehensive review was launched in November 2020 to assess the impact and effectiveness of the emergency transport measures introduced as Birmingham emerged from the national lockdown.
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Clean Air Zone support grants for taxis surpass £1million mark
The Council is pleased to report that it's paid out more than £1million in Clean Air Zone support grants for Birmingham-licensed taxi drivers.
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Key actions to improve air quality in Birmingham
With less than two months to go until the launch of Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone, the City Council has published its Air Quality Action Plan 2021.
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Businesses encouraged to sign up to fleet payment demonstration ahead of launch of Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone
Businesses with vehicles that may be subject to the daily charge when Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone launches on 1 June 2021 can join a demonstration of the payment service.
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Motorpoint confirmed as City Council’s partner to deliver Birmingham Clean Air Zone’s Scrappage and Travel Scheme
The Council has partnered with Motorpoint to offer people working in the Clean Air Zone the chance to scrap their old car and receive £2,000 credit towards a compliant vehicle, or a mobility credit.
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Have your say on Cross City Bus Priority Measures
Transport for West Midlands, part of West Midlands Combined Authority and Birmingham City Council are working together on four road schemes in Birmingham city centre which aim to improve bus travel.
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Brum Breathes: accessibility and privacy statement
The Brum Breathes website is managed by Birmingham City Council and we are working hard to make the site as accessible as possible for everybody.
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Asthma UK report cites action needed to address the invisible threat of air pollution
A report by Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation has cited the dangers of air pollution and steps that need to be taken to tackle it.
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More than £4m of further walking and cycling improvements to be delivered across Birmingham
Birmingham City Council has been awarded circa £4.5m as part of the second tranche of funding from the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund.
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£5,000 grant for Birmingham’s hackney carriage drivers to prepare for the Clean Air Zone
Birmingham City Council has announced a new £5,000 grant for Birmingham-licensed hackney carriage drivers.
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January business clinic; watch again
Missed our free January business clinic webinar or just want to watch it again? Well now you can.
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Birmingham City Council launches a series of Clean Air Zone webinars
Birmingham City Council has launched a series of webinars to help residents, city centre workers and businesses prepares for the Clean Air Zone, which launches on 1 June 2021.
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Medical practices' webinar; watch again
Medical practices who missed our free webinar but want to know more about how the Clean Air Zone will affect their staff and patients can now watch again.
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National Express to run zero-emission Sprint bus services
National Express West Midlands
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Progress for Birmingham Clean Air Zone
Siemens Mobility
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Car Free School Streets
Imagine a world where children can walk through the school gates without navigating cars, traffic and air pollution.
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Free bike safety checks to help get you back in the saddle
Cycling UK is offering businesses and organisations free pop-up Dr Bike safety check events.
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Talk about travel for the chance to win a bike
If you travel to community, voluntary or faith groups in Birmingham, you could win a bike just by talking about your experiences.
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Birmingham’s e-cargo bike pilot launches in time to make Christmas deliveries green
Birmingham City Council has received its first batch of e-cargo bikes - just in time for Christmas.
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Watch again: business clinic webinar
Missed our free business clinic webinar or just want to watch it again? Well now you can.
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Give the gift of clean air this Christmas
With the countdown to Christmas now upon us, consider giving the gift of clean air this festive season.
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Brummies Networking: Listen to the podcast now
Listen now to the latest Brummies Networking podcast with Cllr Waseem Zaffar talking about Birmingham's Clean Air Zone
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Meet Caz and Reg!
We’d now like to introduce you to two very special clouds; meet Caz and Reg!
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E-scooter trial zone set to expand in Birmingham
Following a successful launch period, the operating area of Birmingham’s e-scooter trial will be expanded to the north and southwest of the city.
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Council leads by example with cleaner, greener vehicles
The first of 76 new waste and recycling vehicles have started to roll out on the streets of Birmingham as part of the drive for improved bin collection reliability in the city.
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National Express West Midlands takes its buses on a journey to clean air compliance
National Express West Midlands has outlined the three steps it has taken on its bus journey to clean air compliance.
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December 2020 newsletter
Welcome to the December 2020 edition of the monthly Brum Breathes newsletter
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Birmingham organisations recognised for work on sustainable and active travel
National recognition has been bestowed on Birmingham City Council and its stakeholder partners for efforts to increase active and sustainable travel throughout the city and wider region.
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Watch again: Get ready for the Clean Air Zone webinar
If you missed the webinar on How to Get Ready for Birmingham's Clean Air Zone, you can now watch it again online.
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How Little Pot Transport made big changes on its journey to compliance
Meet Julian Pottinger of Little Pot Transport in Oldbury which provides transport and freight services across the UK.
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November 2020 newsletter
Welcome to the November 2020 edition of the Brum Breathes newsletter
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Selly Oak roadworks expected to complete before Christmas
The roadworks in Selly Oak are due to be complete by Christmas.
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Clean Air Zone podcast with the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce
Following confirmation Birmingham's Clean Air Zone will launch in June 2021, Birmingham City Council and the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce discuss what it means for the city in a new podcast.
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October 2020 newsletter
Welcome to the October 2020 edition of the Brum Breathes newsletter
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Government-mandated Clean Air Zone to launch on 1 June 2021
Birmingham's Clean Air Zone has been given an approved launch date by Government. The zone will launch in June 2021.
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Hydrogen buses coming to Birmingham next Spring
Birmingham City Council has purchased 20 new hydrogen double decker buses as part of their Clean Air Hydrogen Bus Pilot.
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Have your say on Birmingham's Air Quality Action Plan
Feedback is being sought on plans to address air quality in Birmingham city centre and its surrounding suburbs with the launch of the draft Air Quality Action Plan consultation.
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Cyclists test new pop-up cycle lanes in Birmingham
Birmingham City Council has invited local cyclists to try out some of the new ‘pop-up cycle lanes’, delivered as part of the first tranche of the Government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund allocation.
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Have your say on the Birmingham Emergency Transport Plan
Comments and views are being sought on the Emergency Birmingham Transport Plan.
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Local authorities in the West Midlands to trial e-scooters from the end of the summer
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and Birmingham City Council are leading on the development of e-scooter rental trial in the West Midlands.
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Rapid charging network for electric vehicles to be rolled out in Birmingham
As part of its commitment to cut carbon emissions, Birmingham City Council will start the roll-out of 100% renewable energy electric vehicle charge points across the city from Autumn 2020.
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PM kickstarts £2bn cycling and walking revolution
Thousands of miles of new protected bike lanes, cycle training and bikes available on prescription will be rolled out under plans to overhaul cycling and walking in England by Boris Johnson
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Consultation approved for Birmingham’s Air Quality Action Plan
An action plan to improve air quality across Birmingham city centre and its surrounding suburbs has been approved to go out to public consultation
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Birmingham commits to supporting buses post-lockdown
Birmingham City Council has published its Birmingham Bus Statement; outlining how it will support buses as the UK recovers from Covid-19 and its subsequent lockdown.
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National Express leads the charge for sustainable transport
National Express has introduced its first electric buses to its network in the West Midlands
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Birmingham announces measures as part of new Emergency Transport Plan
Birmingham City Council has launched its Emergency Transport Plan outlining plans for a wide range of measures to support walking, cycling and public transport across the city, in light of COVID-19.
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Birmingham Clean Air Zone postponed until 2021
The launch of Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone has been postponed until 2021 following the impact of Covid-19.
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Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone and the impact of COVID-19
Birmingham City Council has written to central government requesting postponement to the launch of its Clean Air Zone.
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Applications open for Clean Air Zone exemption permits
Ahead of the launch of Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone this summer, applications are now open for temporary exemption permits.
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Have you spotted the signs?
Clean Air Zone signs have started going up across the city.
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New online vehicle checker launches
New online vehicle checker to help drivers prepare for clean air zones with charges.
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Business toolkit now available
Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce have launched a toolkit to support organisations prepare for the launch of Birmingham's Clean Air Zone.
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Sustrans charity to recruit 50 Brum Breathes air quality champions in Birmingham
National walking and cycling charity Sustrans has teamed up with Birmingham City Council's Brum Breathes programme to recruit 50 air quality champions across the city.
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Find out more about Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone with February drop-in events
Join us at our public engagement events February 2020
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Climate Emergency Citizen Survey
Birmingham's Clean Air Zone is just one of several steps being taken to tackle climate change in the city. We want to know more about your understanding of climate change - and what else can be done.
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Birmingham’s busy roads increase risk of cancer, heart and lung disease
Living near a busy road in Birmingham can increase the risk of lung cancer by 4.1 percent and stunt children’s lung growth by 7.7 percent according to new research.
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Council to consult on Clean Air Strategy for Birmingham
Cabinet is set to agree the launch of a consultation seeking the city’s input into a wide-ranging strategy to help deliver cleaner air across the whole of Birmingham.
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Car Free School Streets are coming to Birmingham
A pioneering scheme that closes roads around schools to motorised traffic for up to an hour at the start and end of the school day is being piloted in Birmingham from this September.
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Joint statement from Birmingham City Council and Leeds City Council regarding Clean Air Zone delays
The introduction of the UK’s first Clean Air Zones is to be significantly postponed due to a Government delay in delivering digital systems required to make the zones operational and enforceable.
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£15m, or 39%, of Clean Air Fund support earmarked for taxi drivers
Cllr Waseem Zaffar, cabinet member for transport and environment, explains why the city council has earmarked 39% of its Clean Air Fund support from government for taxi drivers
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Government approval for Birmingham Clean Air Zone plans
Birmingham City Council’s plan for a Clean Air Zone to help tackle the problem of air pollution in the city has received Government approval.
