Allegations of “secret plans” to put a toll on car drivers coming into Newcastle city centre have been met with a furious denial.
A top Labour councillor shot down suggestions on Wednesday that daily charges from the city’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) could be extended to private cars. Under the pollution-cutting measures introduced in January, certain vehicles that do not comply with emissions standards are now subject to fees of either £50 or £12.50 to travel through the centre of Newcastle – but all private cars are exempt.
The tolls currently apply to the worst-polluting buses, coaches, HGVs, and taxis, with charges for vans due to start in July. At a Newcastle City Council meeting on Wednesday, Lemington councillor Jason Smith called for bosses to give an assurance that no charges would be put on private cars until June 2026 at the earliest.
