Webinar to demonstrate Clean Air Zone payment system

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 system.

On Thursday 27 April, the Government 's Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) will host a free webinar to guide businesses through the process of uploading their fleet details and processing payments using the online payment portal.

The webinar will provide an opportunity for businesses to view a step-by-step demonstration of how the payment system operates, with an opportunity to ask any questions of representatives from JAQU.

Stephen Arnold, head of Clean Air Zone at Birmingham City Council, said: “There are less than 10 weeks to go until the launch of the Clean Air Zone. And as we get closer to the 1 June go-live date, we 're encouraging individuals and businesses to get ready.

“The business account will enable fleet operators to manage payments for any vehicles that may be subject to the daily charge in Birmingham and the other Clean Air Zones around England, which are due to be introduced over the next few years.

“The webinar will be hosted by JAQU so will provide a great opportunity to better understand how the payment system will work and what steps businesses need to take now to get themselves ready for 1 June. ”

The payment demonstration will take place via Teams and run for an hour from 10am to 11am.

It is free to attend and open to all businesses with commercial vehicles.

JAQU representatives will explain how to create a business account, upload vehicle registration details and process payments, including adding payment information and account managers.

Raj Kandola, head of policy at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “As we approach June 1st, it 's vitally important that businesses are familiar with the payment process and how it will function before the Clean Air Zone goes live.

“With the Clean Air Zone in Bath starting last month, it 's essential that businesses and individuals in our city are fully up to scratch with the process and use this session to iron out any concerns or queries they may around the process. ”

Birmingham 's Clean Air Zone will go live on 1 June 2021 and charge owners of the most polluting vehicles to drive within the A4540 Middleway (but not the Middleway itself).

Drivers can check if they will charged at www.gov.uk/clean-air-zones and sign up to the JAQU payment demonstration by clicking here.

To find out more about the work GBCC has undertaken to help businesses prepare for the start of the Zone, click here.