Newcastle Clean Air Zone - Everything You Need to Know
Everything you need to know about Newcastle's Clean Air Zone
Like several other cities in the UK, Newcastle has brought in a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) to help reduce air pollution and make the city safer and healthier for its residents.
On the 30th of January 2023, Newcastle’s Clean Air Zone went live. If you live locally or drive through Newcastle on a regular basis, here is everything you need to know about Newcastle’s Clean Air Zone.
What is the Newcastle Clean Air Zone?
The Clean Air Zone is a portion of the city centre which high-polluting vehicles must pay to drive within the zone. This is to deter vehicles which produce a high amount of unhealthy emissions from the area, in turn, making the area a cleaner, safer place to live.
Since air pollution is estimated to contribute to as many as 36,000 premature deaths in the UK every year, Newcastle’s Clean Air Zone is a way to tackle these numbers and work towards Newcastle’s citizens breathing cleaner air.
Where is the Newcastle Clean Air Zone?
The zone covers most of Newcastle City Centre. It also extends to routes over the Tyne, Swing, High Level, and Redheugh Bridges.
These areas will be marked with road signs sporting green cloud symbols.
How Can You Tell if You're in the Zone?
If you haven’t double checked your route before you drive through Newcastle, there is no need to panic. You will be able to tell if you are in the Clean Air Zone by the blue road signage that will be around the area.
They have a small green cloud in the middle of the sign, with a ‘C’ to signify the class of Clean Air Zone.
What Vehicles Will Be Charged to Drive in the Newcastle Clean Air Zone and Which are Exempt?
Clean Air Zones all follow the same scheme, to decide which vehicles are charged for driving through the area. Newcastle is a Class C CAZ, which means that private cars and motorcycles do not need to pay a charge, even if they don’t comply with emissions standards.
However, taxis, minibuses, buses, coaches, and HGVs must pay to drive in the zone if they do not comply with emissions standards.
Who is Exempt from the Clean Air Zone Charges?
Charges for vans and Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs) will be delayed until July 2023. This is to allow the drivers time to upgrade their vehicles so they are compliant with the emissions standards.
There are also exemptions that apply to all the Clean Air Zones all over the country, such as disabled tax class vehicles, certain agricultural vehicles, and ultra-low emissions vehicles such as electric and hybrid cars.
There are also local exemptions you may be eligible for, but you must apply for them. These include vehicles such as Showmen’s Guild vehicles and motor caravans. You can apply for these exemptions on the Breathe Clean Air website.
What are the Charges to Drive in Newcastle’s Clean Air Zone?
The cost will depend on the type of vehicle used in the zone.
From 30 January 2023, non-compliant buses, coaches & HGVs will be charged £50.00 per day and non-compliant taxis and minibuses will be charged £12.50 per day.
From July 2023, non-compliant vans and light goods vehicles will also be charged £12.50 per day.
You can pay this charge on the government website.
What Time is the Newcastle Clean Air Zone Enforced?
The CAZ is enforced 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You are subject to a daily charge if your vehicle doesn't meet the right emissions standard, but you only need to pay once per day. This allows you to drive in the zone without limit.
The charges apply from midnight to midnight, not 24 hours from when you enter the zone. For example, if you enter the CAZ at 11:59 pm one day, drive through it and then re-enter at 12:30 am, you must pay for 2 days.
How Can I Check If I Will Be Charged to Drive in the Newcastle Clean Air Zone?
You can use the clean air zone vehicle checker on the GOV.UK website to see if you will be charged to drive through Newcastle..
By owning an electric vehicle, you would not have to worry about the costs of driving in any Clean Air Zones across the country.