Newcastle calls for grant support ahead of CAZ launch

Newcastle City Council is calling on the government to support residents to retrofit their vehicles ahead of the new Clean Air Zone (CAZ). 

Newcastle’s CAZ, which is scheduled to go live in July 2022, will cover most of the city center as well as the routes between Gateshead and Newcastle on the Tyne, Redheugh, Swing, and High-Level bridges.

Those who drive an older taxi, van, bus, coach, or HGV that does not meet emissions requirements will have to pay a charge to enter the zone.

The council has asked the government for £23m to pay for grants that would help towards the cost of upgrading vehicles so that CAZ charges can be avoided. 

However, the council is still awaiting feedback from the government, as soon as they find out how much funding will be available they will let residents know via a new newsletter.

The newsletter is free to sign up for and will be sent via email. Residents can sign up at www.breathe-cleanair.com

The council has also said that temporary exemptions may be in place to cover vehicles where there are arrangements in place for them to be upgraded or where a vehicle may be subject to a finance agreement that is due to expire within a certain time limit.