Sheffield’s Clean Air zone (CAZ) was introduced in February this year to reduce emissions in the city centre.
It charges drivers whose cars produce dangerous amounts of nitrogen dioxide and other particulates.
How much have people been charged?
Three months on from its implementation, new figures have revealed that Sheffield’s CAZ generated £210,000 in fees in its first month of operation.
Between February 27 and March 31, 6986 penalties were awarded for non-payment in the zone, totalling £35,060.
The council also confirmed that drivers paid an additional £175,512 in fees for non-compliance with emission goals.
What are the fees?
The zone charges £10 to smaller vehicles, whilst buses and lorries pay £50 a day to enter.
Drivers can pay up to six days before or after they enter the zone via the council website.
If vehicle owners do not pay this fee, they may receive a fine of up to £120.
Has it worked?
Will Stewart, Director of Investment, Climate Change and Planning at Sheffield City Council, said: “The government benchmarks can only really be drawn together in the year following the first year of implementation so it will only be in early 2024 when we have got all of the data together that we will know that the clean air zone has had the impact that we want.
“Our modelling and our assumptions show… that actually we should meet compliance in the year 2023.
How has the public reacted?
Despite the goal of improving air quality in the city, the CAZ has faced criticism from drivers.
Mark Stevenson, 60, from Sheffield, said: “My main gripe with the CAZ is how unfair the criteria for charging has been set out.
“I run a diesel van, it has the same emissions as a diesel car, yet diesel cars of which there are many are running in and out all day long.
“Meanwhile his next door neighbour is running three cars all diesel in and out every day. It’s all very unfair.
“I’m sure that the CAZ will be expanded at some point to take in all vehicles excluding EVs and the arguments will all kick off again.”