Yes Judith,  one of the things that this thread shows is that while some parts of Birmingham have hardy changed at all others have changed drastically. I have to note that few of the places that have changed drastically look worse now than they did before and some of the places that haven't charged at all are in drastic need of change.

These charges come into effect commencing January next year. This is officially a congestion charge, but it's aimed at air pollution. Prices being talked about are petrol cars manufactured before 2006 and diesel cars before 2015 will pay £8 per day. HGV's and buses £50 per day. The area covered will be everywhere within the inner city ring road (the number 8 bus route) quite a large area.


As I never drive into town, it's not going to bother me a lot, but I just wonder if all those City Councillors and Council upper echelon are exempt from these charges. Whilst I realise that we need to do something about pollution does it really need to cover such a large area. Surely this is going to hike up all transport cost and therefore increase the cost of living and encourage a lot of outlets that are struggling already to move out of the zone.

I think a firm can pay for passes for certain circumstances (staff working at the Children's Hospital for instance), and I have heard talk of a system whereby people visiting the hospital to visit patients (or for outpatient visits) can be reimbursed or have the payment levied.  I'm sure there are other exceptions as if deliveries are going to be hit hard with costs all that's going to happen is City Centre businesses are going to close or move.

Like yourself, I don't drive into town (in fact I don't drive at all!) so I will be interested to see if it does make much of a difference to traffic volumes & the number of people travelling on public transport.  I have a feeling it won't be as noticeable as expected, nor do I think it'll attract as much revenue as some of the figures hint at.  I've heard nothing in the way of plans for a Park & Ride system for instance, which you'd have thought would be a good first step towards stopping people driving into the City Centre.  The people who drive into work tend to be management who get free parking at their place of business & the cars they have wouldn't fall into those charged - the same would apply to most company vehicles as fleets are hired & upgraded regularly.

When the tunnels have been closed for maintenance, drivers have gone round the City rather than through, so I think for through traffic they'll just do that when the charges come into place & the traffic congestion will shift from the City Centre to elsewhere (not that those places aren't already congested themselves of course  ).    As for shoppers?  That's an interesting one and only time will tell if people stop coming in to Town to shop & just head to other places.

While this is needed to reduce pollution levels, it's also needed on the wider commute routes into the City & until there is a proper, reliable, joined up public transport system in place to offer a viable alternative for most motorists it's not going to happen.

Hi Cal


Welcome to the forum, which shop are we talking about. because a canal didn't run at the rear of Barford Street or Cheapside and the only waterway that was close at hand was the River Rea.

As usual hitting the not so well off private motorist.  While I whole heartedly agree with reducing pollution making it even more difficult for the low paid to survive doesn't seem to me to be the right way to go. I always believed Labour supported the poorer members of our society.

My greatgrand parents used to run this shop not sure of the exact years I know it was in the 1930's not sure how long after my great grandfather was found in the canal (1940)my great grand mother kept it.
My grand parents lived at the back of it.