We need more data to support the campaign and know how BCAZ will affect you. Photo credit: Shutterstock
The MU is concerned about the impact of Birmingham City Council's proposed Birmingham Clean Air Zone (BCAZ) on musicians.
The council's proposals will charge anyone going into the zone between midnight and midnight with a non-compliant vehicle (one that is not EU4 petrol or EU6 diesel) a fee of £8. For musicians who regularly work in the proposed BCAZ, and who may arrive to work/gig/rehearse etc before midnight and then leave after midnight when they are finished, a double £8 charge will apply meaning a £16 cost.
Many musicians are on low income, are emerging artists, or have no choice but to use their vehicles to transport equipment to venues, rehearsal rooms, instrument shops or repair workshops, and could be hard hit by these charges, as could the associated businesses. This will detrimentally affect their livelihoods and the cultural life of the city.
The MU is undertaking a campaign to lobby the council to mitigate the impact on musicians and associated businesses and wants more data to support that campaign to know how this will affect you.
We have drawn up a survey as part of this campaign, and we are asking all musicians affected by BCAZ to complete it in order to help us help you. Bear in mind that the data asked for should outline your normal (pre Covid-19) activities, so that we have the most accurate assessment.
Take part in the survey now.