Plans for a clean air toll on Tyneside scrapped, as councillors finalise plans to improve air quality

Tyneside councils face government legal action if they fail to improve air quality. Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

Three Tyneside councils have revised plans for improving air quality after receiving thousands of objections to proposals to charge drivers crossing the River Tyne £3.40 per day.

Under the new plans, which would come into force in 2021, heavy goods vehicles, as well as high polluting buses, vans and taxis will be taxed, but only inside of a smaller 'Clean Air Zone', covering only Newcastle city centre. Ordinary motorists will not be charged.

Charges per day:

  • HGVs - £50

  • Buses - £50

  • Coaches - £50

  • Taxis - £12.50

  • Vans - £12.50

  • Cars - £0

A further six-week consultation on the revised plans opens today. The final plans will not be submitted to the government until the end of the year.

Cllr Arlene Ainsley, said: “Simply charging everyone for driving for driving into Newcastle city centre or over our bridges isn’t going to clean up air quality on its own.”

The council acknowledged need to avoid “damaging [the region’s economy]" at this "uncertain time."

There are also plans to change the road layout on the Central Motorway to prevent traffic merging on and the off the slip lane between the New Bridge Street and Swan House junctions.