Local businesses impacted by the opening of the Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zone can now apply for financial assistance.

The financial assistance scheme enables businesses to access grants, interest-subsidised finance, or a combination of the two, to accelerate investment in low-emission vehicles

Run by Shire Leasing, the scheme enables businesses to access grants, interest-subsidised finance, or a combination of the two, to accelerate investment in low-emission vehicles and to help businesses avoid paying a daily charge for driving in the zone.

The new CAZ covers most of Newcastle city centre as well as routes over the Tyne, Swing, High Level and Redheugh Bridges.

The ‘Class C’ scheme affects buses, coaches, taxis, vans and HGVs that do not meet national Clean Air Zone emissions standards. Private cars are not affected.

Charges for non-compliant taxis, buses, coaches and HGVs will begin on 30 January 2023.

Charges for vans and light goods vehicles will be delayed until July 2023 to allow additional time for owners to upgrade due to the ongoing vehicle supply issues from the semiconductor shortage.

Commenting on the launch of the Financial Support Scheme, a spokesperson for Newcastle and Gateshead councils, said: “Poor air quality has a serious impact on people’s health and one of the ways in which we are seeking to address this is by introducing a Clean Air Zone.

“This will help to reduce harmful emissions by encouraging individuals and businesses to upgrade and replace older, higher polluting vehicles – with financial assistance available to help towards the cost of doing so.

“We’re pleased to be working with Shire Leasing to deliver these funds to local businesses.”

Shire Leasing has been appointed to deliver funds based on its experience with its ‘Driving Clean Air’ programme, through which over £2m of financial support has already been delivered to SMEs via similar government-funded CAZ schemes in the UK. The company was involved in the development and support of the Bath and North East Somerset CAZ Financial Assistance Scheme framework in 2019. It also administers CAZ financial support for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and, most recently, Bristol City Council.

Businesses interested in accessing the scheme must first pass an initial eligibility assessment with Newcastle City Council. Once a Basic Eligibility Letter is issued, businesses can use this to apply for financial support directly with one of the appointed funders.

Funds are available on a first-come-first-serve basis and interested businesses are urged to complete basic eligibility and submit a finance application as soon as possible.

For more details, click here.