Clean Air Zone funding still available

Drivers and businesses affected by Clean Air Zone charges are reminded that funding to upgrade to cleaner vehicles is still available.

Grants can be provided to help replace or upgrade older, more polluting taxis, vans, buses, coaches and HGVs that would be charged to enter the Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zone.

Information about the grants and a link to the application form can be found on our grants information page.

Changes to the grants criteria earlier this year has meant that more local businesses with non-compliant vans, light goods vehicles and minibuses are now eligible to apply.

Over 500 previously unsuccessful applicants were invited to reapply, with over 100 of those businesses going on to do so, many of whom have already received their grants.

Since the launch of the grants scheme a total of £3.5m has been distributed to companies and drivers in the region to help towards the cost of vehicle upgrades.

Hundreds of other applications have also been approved and those applicants are urged to contact the scheme’s financial providers in order to complete the process and secure their funding.

Applicants are reminded that, due to financial auditing requirements, funding cannot be provided if the sale or purchase of a vehicle has been made using cash.

The Clean Air Zone was introduced in response to a legal direction from government requiring Newcastle and Gateshead councils to take action to address illegal levels of pollution in certain areas.

The CAZ only applies to non-compliant taxis, vans, buses, coaches and HGVs that do not meet national emissions requirements. Privately owned cars are not affected.