Clean Air Zone to remain in Birmingham city centre despite tram failure

Birmingham City Council said the Clean Air Zone fees, which require motorists to pay £8 a day to drive into the centre, will remain in place and commuters encouraged to use other forms of public transport.

The authority also said it remained committed to cleaning the city’s air.

The congestion charge remained in place during previous failures in the tram system and people are encouraged to use alternative arrangements via trains and buses – where Metro tickets will be valid.

Trams were taken out of service over the weekend after cracks were discovered in the body work of the doors.

It is the third time in just nine months services have faced such disruption, prompting an apology from West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, who admitted they had let people down.

It emerged the cracked doors meant the older fleet had to be removed from service, with the newer trams likely to be brought in to resume operations by the start of next month.

A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: “We’re committed to cleaning Birmingham’s air and would encourage those commuters who usually take the tram to use this opportunity to try other forms of public transport such as buses where Metro tickets are valid.”

Mr Street said: “Very sincere apologies that this has occurred. We’ve let people down. A combination of the manufacturer, the operator have let people down. It’s my job to make sure this is solved quickly.

“I understand why people are incredibly cross. I get how inexcusable this is. If I’m honest I’m not in the business of sacking people yet. I’m in the business of getting this repaired and back into service.

“We have also launched a full investigation as to how we have got to this position. We’re looking if anything has gone wrong with Midland Metro or the manufacturer where there is accountability for this.

“If anything is found of course it will be followed through. It would be completely unreasonable for me to say without the evidence.”