Since the beginning of October, a network of 43 signs and 38 cameras have already been mounted in Newcastle at the entry points around the boundary of the Clean Air Zone to monitor and alert drivers.
The charge, which will apply to buses, coaches, taxis, heavy goods vehicles and vans that do not meet the required emissions standards, will apply from 30th January 2023.
The CAZ covers not only most of Newcastle city centre, but also routes over the Tyne, Swing, High Level and Redheugh bridges.
The toll will not apply to Scotswood Bridge, the A1’s Blaydon Bridge or any of the Tyne crossings west of those, and drivers can also use the Tyne Tunnel to cross the river, although that involves paying a toll.
The fee will be £50 per day for HGVs, and £12.50 per day for vans.
The table below offers a basic guide as to which vehicles are likely to comply with the CAZ requirements.
| Type of vehicle | Vehicle registration date required to meet minimum emission standards | Name of minimum emission standards |
| LGVs |
diesel – after September 2016 petrol – after January 2006 |
diesel – Euro 6 petrol – Euro 4 |
| HGVs | after 2014 | Euro VI |
Sheffield CAZ
Following the rollout of financial support measures that began on December 12, 2022, Sheffield’s Clean Air Zone, which is a Class C CAZ, will launch on February 27, 2023.
Charges will apply to light goods vehicles below Euro 6 Diesel or Euro 4 Petrol standards, as well as heavy goods vehicles which are below Euro 6 Diesel standards.
LGVs and HGVs that don’t comply with the requirement will be charged £50 daily.
The Clean Air Zone covers the inner ring road and city centre. A detailed interactive map can be found on the CAZ website.
Both the Sheffield-Rotherham and the Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zones are legally mandated directives from the local governments. Apart from the aforementioned cities, these are the places that have already introduced such a zone:
- Bath
- Birmingham
- Bradford
- Bristol
- Greater Manchester (under review)
- Portsmouth