Fleets impacted by the new Clean Air Zone in Newcastle and Gateshead can now apply for financial assistance to help achieve compliance.
The ‘Class C’ CAZ goes live from 30 January 2023 and will affect buses, coaches, taxis, vans and HGVs that do not meet national Clean Air Zone emissions standards. 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. Private cars are not impacted.
Independent finance broker Anglo Scottish Asset Finance has been appointed by Newcastle City and Gateshead Council to deliver the scheme, which will provide grants to help reduce the cost to businesses of vehicle replacement and also deliver vehicle sourcing options.
The initiative is funded by the Government’s Clean Air Fund and will also advise businesses and individuals on how to switch to more sustainable forms of transportation.
The new CAZ has been created in response to a legal direction by the Government to the councils to reduce illegal levels of traffic-related pollution.
Businesses can benefit from Anglo Scottish’s Clean Air Zone services which include grant application assistance towards the acquisition of new compliant vehicles, retrospective grant applications for vehicles already purchased, financing to spread the cost, and vehicle sales/part exchange facility to source and replace their existing vehicles.
Established in 2007, Anglo Scottish provides a range of financial services across the UK including asset finance, business loans, as well as personal vehicle solutions, and vehicle sourcing. It’s previously worked with Bath & North East Somerset and Bristol Council to develop the cities’ financial assistance schemes and has helped over 400 businesses to replace non-compliant vehicles and avoid daily charges to enter the respective city centres.
David Foster, MD at Anglo Scottish Asset Finance, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Newcastle City and Gateshead councils to support businesses in becoming clean air compliant.
“As a North East-based business, we already deal with many companies who regularly drive in and out of the city centre, and the Anglo Scottish team is in a fantastic position both in our expertise and geographical location to be able to support all affected businesses with our ‘one-stop-shop’ solution of grant assistance, cost-effective finance, and vehicle sourcing to reduce the pressures on businesses.”
More details on the new Newcastle and Gateshead CAZ are available on the Breath-Clean Air website.
