Clean Air Zone - Newsletter May 2023
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Clean Air Zone charging date for vans confirmed
We’re writing to let you know that the Clean Air Zone charging date for vans and light goods vehicles has been confirmed as Monday 17 July 2023.
From that date, if your van or light goods vehicle doesn’t meet national emissions standards, you will need to pay a daily charge of £12.50 to enter the zone.
To meet the emissions standards and avoid being charged, your van or light goods vehicle must have a Euro 6 diesel or a Euro 4 petrol engine. In general, this will be diesel vans registered after September 2016 and petrol vans registered after January 2006.
To check whether your vehicle will be charged please go to the national online vehicle checker at www.gov.uk/clean-air-zones.
If you are affected, you can still apply for a grant towards the cost of replacing an older vehicle with a cleaner model. Information about Clean Air Zone grants can be found at www.breathe-cleanair.com/grants.
Anyone who is in the process of applying for a grant will be temporarily exempt from CAZ charges.
Details about other exemptions and how to apply can be found at www.breathe-cleanair.com/exemptions.
Find out how to pay
If you need to pay a CAZ charge you can find out how to do this at www.breathe-cleanair.com/how-to-pay.
Payments can be made up to six days in advance of your journey or no later than six days after the date of travel. You won’t get a notice or reminder so it’s important to check your vehicle and whether your route takes you into the CAZ.
The zone covers most of Newcastle city centre, including routes over the Tyne, Swing, Redheugh and High Level bridges. You can find a map showing the CAZ boundary at www.breathe-cleanair.com/map.
Early Notice Letters
From Monday 22 May, some drivers may receive a letter to let them know that their vehicle will be liable for CAZ charges after 17 July.
These Early Notice Letters will be sent out by DVLA to help raise awareness. They’ll be sent to those with affected vans or light goods vehicles that were identified as entering the CAZ during a recent monitoring period.
If you receive a letter, it doesn’t mean you have to pay now, but you may be charged for driving within the CAZ after 17 July.
Other vehicles
Clean Air Zone charges are already in place for non-compliant taxis, buses, coaches and HGVs. These charges were introduced when the zone was launched on 30 January 2023.
There is no charge for private cars.
About the Clean Air Zone
The Clean Air Zone was introduced by Newcastle and Gateshead councils in response to a legal order from government which required action to be taken to address illegal levels of pollution.
Pollution and poor air quality is a serious risk to people’s health and is linked to up to 36,000 deaths each year in the UK, including hundreds in our area.
Pollution affects many aspects of our health and those who are older, suffering from existing conditions or those who spend a lot of time inside vehicles while sitting in traffic, are more likely to be affected.
Children are also particularly at risk as their lungs are still growing and developing.
You can read more about why we need to improve our air quality at www.breathe-cleanair.com/faqs-air-quality.