Newcastle food bank pleads for CAZ exemption after 32 fines

Older and more polluting taxis, vans, buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are fined to enter Newcastle city centre

A food bank has pleaded with a council to be exempt from a city's pollution charges after it received 32 fines.

Kenton Food Bank used a Mercedes diesel van, which fell short of Clean Air Zone (CAZ) regulations, to make collections in Newcastle city centre.

The group has been charged £400 and has since had to rely on others to bring them food.

The council said the food bank was not eligible for exemption because it did not hold a proper permit.

After Newcastle's Clean Air Zone (CAZ) was introduced in January, more than £500,000 was paid by drivers in charges in the first six months.

Under the scheme, older and more polluting taxis, vans, buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are fined either £12.50 or £50 to enter the city centre.

Food bank founder Loree Moran-Wilson with Rob Armstrong, who raised thousands to save it from closure in March

Newcastle City Council bosses agreed the food bank could pay the £12.50 toll, and waived the late payment fines of £120 for each transgression, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Manager Loree Moran-Wilson claimed she had been told by the council that they would be eligible for an exemption granted to community transport vehicles.

The community food bank, which supports more than 100 families a week, was saved from closure in March.

• More than £500,000 paid in Clean Air Zone charges

• Struggling community food bank saved from closure

Ms Moran-Wilson explained she said she "could look into" buying an electric van, but it was costly.

"Even if they could give us permission to come into the CAZ once a week that would be fine. We aren't trying to take the mick here," she said.

Liberal Democrat councillor Peter Lovatt said he was "extremely concerned" that non-profit organisations would suffer if not given help to avoid the CAZ tolls.

A spokesperson for Newcastle and Gateshead CAZ said allowing exemptions "had to be balanced against the need to reduce pollution levels".

"In this particular case, while the vehicle would not qualify for an exemption, we have contacted the owner to make them aware that they could apply for funding of up to £4,500 towards the cost of a newer vehicle that meets emissions requirements," they added.