Local authority news Updates from councils across the UK Cleaner air for Birmingham Birminghams clean air zone (CAZ) was expected to go live on 1 June. Last month, Birmingham City Council published the Birmingham Clean Air Zone Charging Order 2021, which sets out the details of how the CAZ will operate. classes that do not meet the emissions standards set out in the order can expect, charge to drive inside the CAZ. The order sets out the temporary and permanent exemptions, how the council will approach any enforcement associated with non-payment of the CAZ daily fee, and how it intends to use any income generated from the zone. The council has also launched its CAZ Vehicle Scrappage and Travel Credit Scheme. The 10m scheme aims to support people working in the CAZ, and who earn less than 30,000 per year, to scrap a vehicle that would otherwise be subject to the daily fee. In return, successful applicants receive a 2,000 grant that can be redeemed against travel on public transport, or to buy a vehicle that meets the emission standards of the CAZ. The council has partnered with Transport for West Midlands, part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, and the UKs largest independent car retailer Motorpoint, to operate the scheme. Waseem Zaffar MBE, cabinet member for Transport and the Environment, said: Every year, up to 1,000 people in Birmingham are dying prematurely from conditions linked to air pollution. This is an unacceptable situation. Clean air should be a basic right. The CAZ will help improve air quality within our city and the Vehicle Scrappage and Travel Credit Scheme helps tackle the source of the problem by removing the most polluting vehicles from our roads. Edinburghs two-wheel evolution A project to roll out secure on-street cycle parking across Edinburgh will be boosted by an additional 1,200 spaces over the next two years, subject to funding, in response to increasing demand. Contractors Cyclehoop began installing covered bike-storage containers around the city in January 2019, with the intention of providing and maintaining 180 units equating to 1,080 bike-parking spaces over its five-year contract. By creating safe, accessible storage for bikes, particularly in tenement areas, the scheme aims to encourage people to take up cycling as a convenient form of transport. So far, 108 units have been installed, which have an occupancy rate of around 91 per cent. There are 591 registered users, with 476 people on the waiting list for a space. Requests have also been received for units at 206 new locations. In April, the council approved proposals to add an additional 50 locations (100 units) per year over the next two years, subject to matchfunding by Sustrans, the UK walking and cycling charity. This will provide 1,200 extra spaces. Lesley Macinnes, transport and environment convener, said: The demand for bike parking in Edinburgh demonstrates the increasing popularity of cycling, and the positive impact it can have on health, travel costs and the environment. Im delighted that were going to be able to double the secure cycle-storage units being installed, subject to funding. Removal of vehicles legislation corrected The House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee proposes to correct the Removal and Disposal of Vehicles Regulations secondary legislation. It will rectify an error and restore the power to civil enforcement officers in England to remove vehicles from a road for parking contraventions following the issue of a penalty charge notice. An incorrect cross-reference in a previous amending instrument unintentionally removed this power in 2015. The Department for Transport has said all local authorities that have removed vehicles in the past six years and charged for their return will have had legal cover to do so under the Interpretation Act 1978. However, the committee regarded this error as an example of poor checking by the department. Parking pass change Following the publication of the governments roadmap for lifting Covid-19 restrictions, the government has decided to withdraw the emergency parking pass guidance by 21 June 2021. This pass provides evidence of entitlement to free parking for those on duty as an NHS staff member, health or social care worker, or NHS volunteer responder. Councils are responsible for setting their own local policy on parking and may chose to have a free provision for some groups. See bit.ly/PnJun21PP NEPPs third AR The North Essex Parking Partnership has published its third quarterly operational report for 2020/21, covering the period October 2020 to December 2020. See bit.ly/PNJun21NEPP People moves Richard Hein, chair of the BPA Southern regional group, is now the head of parking operations for shared service for the London boroughs of Richmond and Wandsworth. 12 britishparking.co.uk PN June 2021 pp12-13 LA News.indd 12 21/05/2021 10:59 m199