City’s ‘fresh air toll’ wouldn’t begin until 2021

TAXI DRIVERS COULD BE HIT HARDEST BY CONGESTION CHARGES

ANY possible congestion charge for driving in Newcastle city centre won’t come in until at least 2021.

That’s according to the councillor who could take the lead on any such plans.

We revealed on Wednesday taxi drivers received a letter they felt suggested some drivers may soon be hit with a daily city centre charge.

The council has been ordered by the Government to explore a ‘fresh air toll’ in a bid to cut pollution.

Other cities, like Leeds, have proposed charging the toll, which is as much as £12.50.

It would only apply to vehicles which aren’t eco-friendly, although some slammed the idea claiming it would further “shaft” struggling taxi drivers.

But Coun Arlene Ainsley, cabinet member for transport and air quality at Newcastle City Council, insists nothing is final.

“We are looking at a range of measures to determine how effective they would be in improving air quality and we are speaking to interested groups, organisations and individuals to help us understand how different measures might affect them,” she said.

“As part of this we have written to all of our licensed taxi drivers to make them aware of the issue.

“It is important to note that we don’t yet know whether there will be a charge or how much it would be. We have been told by government that we must compare any other ways of addressing poor air quality against the effectiveness of a charge on certain types of vehicles.

“The views and feedback we receive, from taxi drivers and other interested people, will help us when we finalise the proposed measures we eventually put forward to Government.

“We will be keeping in touch with taxi drivers by writing to them with updates and there will be a full public consultation early next year before any measures are introduced.

“Any measures would be brought in from 2021.”

Some hit back at the council, claiming a charge – possibly aimed at those driving older vehicles – would hit taxi drivers.

Nationally, pollution is linked to 40,000 early deaths each year, including hundreds in the North East. The Government has ordered councils to look at ways to reduce pollution, and that must include exploring a charging ‘clean air zone.’ Diesel cars registered before September 2015, and petrol vehicles which pre-date 2006 could be subject to a charge, under the concept.