Motorists driving high polluting commercial vehicles in Newcastle will be charged to enter the city centre from January 2023.
The Clean Air Zone charges will not apply to private cars, only to motorists driving older buses, coaches, taxis, heavy good vehicles and vans that do not meet emissions standards. Car drivers could be subject to the toll later, but they will not be when it is first brought in.
From January 30, 2023, older taxis and private hire vehicles will incur a charge of £12.50 to drive in Newcastle City Centre and over the Tyne, Swing, High Level and Redheugh bridges. A £50 charge will apply to HGVs, buses and coaches that do not meet emission standards from the same date.
Read more: Car drivers could eventually be charged to use Newcastle City Centre roads
Taxis licensed through Newcastle, North Tyneside or Gateshead councils will be able to apply for a seven-day licence to enter the clean air zone for £50.
Older vans and light goods vehicles will be subject to a £12.50 per day charge from July 2023.
"This is aimed at reducing the number of high-polluting vehicles on our roads in order to improve air quality, which is better for our health and our local economy," says Newcastle and Gateshead councils' Clean Air Zone's website.
You may be wondering what the money raised will be used for. The law states that councils can not use the money raised as a general revenue stream. It is ringfenced for something else.
Where does the Newcastle Clean Air Zone money go?
The law states that councils can not use the money raised as a general revenue stream. It is ringfenced to be spent on transport policies which will contribute to improving the air quality in the city centre.
Newcastle and Gateshead's councils say "Under the Transport Act 2000, the net proceeds of any charging schemes made under the Act, including a Clean Air Zone, can only be used by a local authority for the purpose of helping towards the delivery of local transport policies. This can include the promotion of cycling and walking and other sustainable transport measures."
The goal of the Clean Air Zone is to cut pollution levels in the city centre. Money raised will be used on policies that aim to help with that.
The Department for Transport adds: "The Transport Act 2000 requires any excess revenue that may arise from charges above the costs of operation to be re-invested to facilitate the achievement of local transport policies and these should aim to improve air quality and support the delivery of the ambitions of the zone, while ensuring this does not displace existing funding. Such charges may not be used as a form of taxation to raise revenue generally."
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