Pollution tolls that would see some drivers charged up to £50 per day to come into Newcastle city centre have been put on hold.
Tyneside transport chiefs have confirmed that a new Clean Air Zone (CAZ) that was due to come into force this July has been postponed indefinitely. There have been major doubts for some months over whether the scheme, designed to cut illegal levels of roadside emissions, would be delivered on schedule
The CAZ will see many older, high-polluting vehicles hit with heavy daily tolls to enter Newcastle city centre, though all private cars have been made exempt. Lorries, buses and coaches that do not comply with emissions standards will have to pay £50 per day to drive into the city centre, while non-compliant vans and taxis will be charged £12.50 per day.
