Why do we need a Clean Air Zone and who is affected?

Air pollution affects us all and represents a real threat to people’s health. It’s linked to serious conditions, including heart disease, cancer and breathing problems, and older people, children and those with existing health conditions are more likely to be affected. Everyone has a right to breathe clean air.

The Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zone was launched on 30 January 2023.

It is there to improve air quality by reducing the number of older, more polluting vehicles using our roads, both within the zone itself and in the surrounding area.

It was put in place by Newcastle and Gateshead councils in response to a legal direction from government requiring both local authorities to take action to reduce illegal levels of pollution in certain areas.

The legal direction and a subsequent update has been published by the government, along with a charging order that sets out which vehicles are affected by the CAZ and the level of charges.

The Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zone is a category C CAZ, which means that charges only apply to non-compliant taxis and private hire vehicles; vans, light goods vehicles and minibuses; buses and coaches; and HGVs that do not meet required emissions standards.

Grants are available to help towards the cost of replacing a non-compliant vehicle.

The level of charges for non-compliant vehicles is as follows:

  • Buses, coaches and HGVS - £50 per day

  • Taxis, private hire vehicles, vans, LGVs and minibuses - £12.50 per day

All money received from payments is used towards the cost of operating the Clean Air Zone. Any surplus money after operating costs have been met will be used to fund improvements to local transport networks.

Privately owned cars, motorbikes and all vehicles that meet the required national emissions standards are not required to pay CAZ charges, however, all drivers are encouraged to think about how they travel and the impact this has on air quality and the wider environment.

You can check whether your vehicle is CAZ compliant using the government’s online vehicle checker.

The table below shows a basic guide as to which vehicles are likely to meet the required emissions standards based on the date of registration.