Mosque calls to let worshippers off city Clean Air Zone charge
Growing clamour to exempt religious groups, schools and clubs from fee
CITY council chiefs are facing calls to exempt mosque worshippers from Clean Air Zone charges while they pray – or risk accusations of ‘discrimination’.
Birmingham’s Central Mosque – the biggest in Europe – attracts around 5,000 Muslim worshippers every week, rising to around 25,000 at Eid.
But the mosque falls inside the charging zone set up to try to combat air quality issues in the city, meaning any visitor whose car does not meet strict anti-pollution criteria faces a daily fee.
It is the biggest of some 30 religious institutions whose congregations could be affected when the CAZ comes into force next year, the city’s transport and environment overview and scrutiny committee heard.
Councillor Muhammad Afzal, speaking in his role as chairman of Central Mosque, said the impact of the new charges on people of faith could affect attendance for prayers and funerals.
“This will affect thousands of people who attend the mosque every week. During Ramadan around 25,000-30,000 people attend prayers.
“We also have many funerals where people come from a wide area, from Bradford, London, all over.”
Meanwhile, some of the city’s most popular late night attractions and more than 15 schools and colleges in the zone are also calling for exemptions.
The charging zone also includes special schools and the city’s Children’s Hospital, sparking suggestions that parents and staff should also be exempt from paying any fees.
Other residents say there should be no exemptions or the point of having the CAZ will be lost.
On the mosque issue Councillor Majid Mahmood (Lab, Bromford and Hodge Hill) told a council meeting that a way to exempt worshippers needed to be considered as the council could risk being discriminatory towards those with a ‘protected characteristic’ under the Equalities Act.
He also highlighted the particular risks facing worshippers attending night prayers who might have to drive to ensure their safety.
Drivers of non-compliant cars, taxis and vans will have to pay an £8 daily charge, while lorries, coaches and buses could be charged £50 within the zone.
The aim is to lower air pollution in the city centre.
But Councillor Julie Johnson (Lab, Weoley and Selly Oak) said the area included many religious institutions but also many people
THE Clean Air Zone was originally due to start in January 2020, and covers an area enclosed within the A4540 ring road, including the city centre, Jewellery Quarter, Digbeth, Highgate, Hockley and Ladywood.
All vehicles which fail to meet strict low pollution guidelines will be charged daily to drive in the zone. Non-compliant cars, vans and taxis face an £8 charge, while lorries and buses will be hit with a £50 daily fee, all payable online. Failing to pay a charge due would result in a £120 fine.
The Zone proposal was created in response to demands from central Government for the city to take urgent action to address its high air pollution levels.
Launch of the Zone has been delayed until at least July next year because of delays in the development of a vehicle checking system.
Primary and secondary schools, four colleges and two universities sit inside the charging zone, meaning parents, staff and students with older cars could be penalised.
with no faith “whose rights needed to be protected too”.
Phil Edwards, assistant director, transport and connectivity, said the issue of exempting those who followed particular or all religions would be problematic and difficult to enforce.
The issue was raised during a fraught meeting as simmering tensions over the rights and wrongs of the Clean Air Zone resurfaced.
Councillor Mahmood has lobbied for the council to reconsider the Clean Air Zone proposals, claiming a city wide resident parking scheme, workplace levy and other measures would do more to combat pollution. He said charging residents was never a requirement of the Clean Air Zone recommendations.
He told the meeting: “We are being seen less like Robin Hood and more like the Sheriff of Nottingham imposing taxes on the poor.”
Councillor Tim Huxtable (Cons, Hall Green South) said he opposed the whole idea of charging private residents to enter the Clean Air Zone.
He said: “It is not just the mosque that will be affected. There are also all three major cathedrals, churches, synagogues and NHS services including the Children’s Hospital.”
The council intends to use some of the money raised to pay for Controlled Parking Zones both inside and on the edge of the zone.
A spokesperson for Calthorpe Academy said the vast majority of pupils were driven in on school buses that the council had said would be exempt.
But he added there might be issues for staff and parents who drove in or were called to pick up a child during the day if medical or other issues arose.
The council has listed a range of exemptions already in place designed to help local residents and those with disabilities or special circumstances.