Newcastle Clean Air Zone grants paused over failed bids

The Clean Air Zone covers Newcastle City Centre

Grants to upgrade vehicles falling foul of Newcastle's Clean Air Zone (CAZ) are to be reviewed as the vast majority of applications are proving unsuccessful.

Commercial vehicles that do not meet environmental standards face tolls for driving through the city centre.

Those affected can apply for a grant of up to £16,000 to upgrade their vehicle, but many fail in their bids.

The scheme is being suspended for two months while it is assessed.

A review will begin on 17 December with the aim of allowing more people to access the funding, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

New applications will not be accepted until the review ends in February 2024.

'Extend support'

Of the £15m in grant money available, only £2m has been awarded to about 540 of the 2,500 applicants.

Councillor Marion Williams said: "Vehicle upgrade grants have been hugely beneficial to hundreds of taxi drivers and businesses in our area and I'm very pleased that we are now in a position where we can look to extend this financial support to more people."

But the council has faced criticism for imposing strict conditions on who is eligible to receive the money.

Those applying for a grant are required to show paperwork proving they have had a business need to enter the city centre at least twice a week for the last three months, which is particularly difficult for some independent traders.

Taxi drivers based outside Newcastle, Gateshead and North Tyneside are ineligible for the funding, while Kenton Food Bank led calls in October for the council to make charitable organisations exempt from CAZ charges.

Drivers whose vehicles are deemed high-polluting face daily tolls of either £50 or £12.50 to drive through the city centre. Private cars are exempt.