New vehicle checker will help residents prepare for Portsmouth CAZ

Drivers can now check whether they will need to pay to enter Portsmouth’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ).

In March 2020 the government mandated that Portsmouth City Council had to introduce a Class B CAZ in order to reduce harmful levels of air pollution.

The CAZ which is due to be introduced in November will cover an area in the southwest of the city, including the city centre.

The most polluting non-compliant vehicles will be charged a daily fee for entering the zone.

most polluting ‘non-compliant’ vehicles will be charged a daily fee for entering the zone.

Non-complaint taxis and private hire vehicles will have to pay £10 a day and HGVs, buses and coaches will have to pay £50 a day.

Drivers can now go online, enter their registration number and find out whether they would need to pay to enter the zone.

The tool also provides details on the emission levels of the vehicles being checked, it is hoped that this will create better awareness of the impact that vehicles have on air pollution.

Anyone who finds out that their vehicle would be liable for charges may be able to access funding to help them retrofit or upgrade their vehicles to cleaner, greener ones.

Cllr Dave Ashmore, the cabinet member for community safety and environment, said: ‘Everyone should be able to breathe cleaner air and we are committed to making this happen in Portsmouth.

‘Even though a clean air zone is not our preferred solution to improve air quality, it’s important that we provide people with as much information as possible.

‘You’ll now be able to check whether your vehicle will be charged by entering your vehicle registration number online. If you’re liable to pay a charge, get in contact with us about the funding that is available to help you upgrade or retrofit your vehicle.’

Photo by Laurentiu Morariu