Van owners in the North East now have just over two weeks to prepare themselves for the start of new tolls in the Newcastle Clean Air Zone (CAZ).
Having been given a six-month reprieve on charges since the launch of the CAZ in January, drivers of some high-polluting vans and LGVs that do not meet emissions standards will have to pay £12.50 per day to drive into Newcastle city centre from Monday, July 17. Older buses, coaches, lorries, and taxis are already charged in the anti-pollution zone, which was imposed after local councils were ordered by the Government to cut illegal levels of emissions, but all private cars remain exempt.
The delay for vans was allowed on the grounds that supply chain problems were making it harder to switch to newer, cleaner models, while there have also been worries about the impact the tolls will have on small and independent businesses already faced with a cost of living crisis. While grants are being made available to help drivers upgrade their vehicles, latest data shows that none have been approved for van or LGV owners so far.
