A Clean Air Zone in Portsmouth has been defended after a motorhome travelling through the city for its holiday on the Isle of Wight was fined.
The two-berth, diesel motorhome did not meet the Euro 6 emissions standard that would have allowed it to be excluded from the pollution payment, which came into force almost one year ago.
The motorhome’s owners were fined £60 and had to pay the £50 daily charge.
They left the Isle of Wight via a different route and did not realise they had triggered the fine until later.
In a statement, ferry company Wightlink said: “We are sorry that a customer with a motorhome was not aware of the requirements of Portsmouth’s Clean Air Zone, which was introduced in November 2021.
“Most private cars, vans and motorhomes can enter the zone without paying a charge, but some older motorhomes may be charged.
“Portsmouth City Council has put up several signs before the entrance to the CAZ advising drivers to check whether their vehicle is affected by the charge.”
The matter has coincided with the rejection of a petition calling for an exclusion for Isle of Wight ferry traffic, on the grounds the UK government or parliament is not directly responsible for that decision.
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