The Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Transport
- Made under: European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018
Increased the central service fee for Clean Air Zone payments from £2 to £4 and extended the fee liability period until 2031.
These Regulations amend the Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) Regulations 2020 to increase the financial obligations of local charging authorities to the Secretary of State.
The instrument raises the fee per processed payment from £2 to £4 when the central services system is used to handle Clean Air Zone charges.
Furthermore, it extends the duration for which authorities are liable to pay these fees through 31st March 2031, applying specifically to charging authorities within England.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that the amendments are made under powers conferred by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 to manage fees related to central services.
The explanatory note states that the regulations ensure the continued processing of payments for clean air zone charging schemes by the Secretary of State.
The Treasury has consented to the fee adjustments, indicating a reviewed financial basis for the service costs.
Arguments Against
Local government bodies might argue that doubling the fee from £2 to £4 per processed payment increases the administrative costs of operating Clean Air Zones.
Critics may question the lack of a full impact assessment, although the document asserts there is no significant impact on business or the voluntary sector.
Legal observers might note that extending the liability period to 2031 commits local charging authorities to specific central service costs for a further four years beyond the original 2027 deadline.
Citation, commencement, extent and application
- —(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026.
- (2) These Regulations come into force on 1st September 2026.
- (3) They extend to England and Wales, but apply in England only.
This section establishes the official name of the instrument and sets the date it becomes legally effective as 1st September 2026.
While the legal jurisdiction of the document covers both England and Wales, its practical application is limited to England.
This ensures that the fee changes apply only to charging authorities operating within English borders.
Amendment of the Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) Regulations 2020
- —(1) The Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) Regulations 2020( 2 ) are amended as follows.
- (2) In regulation 3(2)(b), for ‘2027’ substitute ‘2031’.
- (3) In regulation 3(3), for ‘£2’ substitute ‘£4’.
This section modifies the 2020 Regulations to extend the duration of the fee scheme and increase the cost per transaction.
It changes the end date of the period during which charging authorities must pay for central services from 2027 to 31st March 2031.
Additionally, it mandates that the fee paid by a charging authority to the Secretary of State for each processed payment increases from £2 to £4.
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