Josh Sandiford & George Scotland
BBC News, West Midlands
A man grieving the loss of his father claims he was compelled to pay £3,000 by Birmingham City Council for a Clean Air Zone fine incurred by his deceased father. Gary Davies expressed feeling like a “complete failure” after failing to persuade the local authority that his father had passed away. The 52-year-old roofer described the experience of trying to communicate his situation to the council as akin to “talking to a brick wall” and has declared his intentions to take legal action against the council’s administrators. In response, the council defended its handling of the scheme, emphasizing that the avenues for contesting fines were clearly outlined.
Introduced in 2021 as part of efforts to address air quality concerns, the Clean Air Zone imposed daily charges on older vehicles driving within the city center. A report released in January underscored the zone’s significant impact on reducing pollution. However, since its inception, the program has faced criticism for penalizing seemingly innocent individuals with substantial fines. Numerous complaints have surfaced regarding the challenges of reaching out to the council to dispute charges, with some asserting that the council has been uncooperative in addressing their concerns.
Gary Davies, hailing from Tamworth, detailed his experience of having to pay £3,000 after enforcement agents clamped two vehicles on his property. Despite providing a copy of his father’s death certificate, he has yet to receive a refund and described the ordeal as exacerbating his grieving process. Reflecting on his arduous attempts to communicate with the council, Davies lamented the feeling of helplessness and frustration in having his voice unheard. The lack of empathy and understanding exhibited by the council compounded his sense of isolation.
The council’s Clean Air Zone hotline was put to the test by the BBC, revealing a convoluted system that hindered effective communication. It took thirty minutes to navigate the phone menu to connect with a live person, only to be advised to seek information online. The account of Cynthia Nodanche, who was demanded £1,000 in fines after unintentionally driving her non-compliant vehicle through the Clean Air Zone, sheds light on the system’s flaws. The 41-year-old executive assistant, new to Birmingham, highlighted the confusing nature of the process and urged the council to display more flexibility in dealing with such cases
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