'Clean Air Coalition' demands new vision to solve Tyneside's pollution crisis - on top of the toll

Campaigners have united behind demands for council bosses to deliver more innovative plans to cut dangerous pollution levels on Tyneside - on top of a new clean air toll.

A 'Clean Air Coalition' of prominent action groups is urging local authority transport chiefs to do more to convince people of the need to slash toxic emissions - and set out a 'concrete' vision for better public transport, cycling, and walking infrastructure.

It comes as Newcastle, Gateshead and North Tyneside councils are preparing to impose a controversial clean air charge on the region's roads in order to comply with government orders to reduce air pollution.

Residents have just one week left to respond to a consultation on two competing toll options: a £12.50 daily charge on only high-polluting vehicles to enter a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) covering the centres of Newcastle and Gateshead, stretching up to Gosforth and down the Coast Road to Wallsend; or a £1.70 toll on the Tyne, Swing, and Redheugh bridges that would affect most drivers.

The new campaign alliance is made up of the Newcastle Public Transport Users Group (PTUG), the SPACE groups in Gosforth, Jesmond and Heaton, the Newcastle Cycling Campaign, Save Newcastle Wildlife, Friends of the Earth, and Newcastle Greenpeace.

Alistair Ford, chair of Newcastle PTUG, said: "The councils' consultation has been running for a number of weeks, and we all believe that action on clean air is long overdue, but local people are being asked to comment on proposals without important information at their fingertips.

"Improved public transport, cycling, and walking options are vital to tackle this public health emergency but the consultation doesn't provide people with information about how these essential alternatives to driving will be made more attractive.

"Residents really need to hear how any money raised by any tolls or charges will be spent to make it easier for people to leave their cars at home, and what the many benefits of this will be."

Air pollution is linked to an estimated 360 deaths every year in Newcastle, Gateshead and North Tyneside.

But the groups argue that any road toll plan will be undermined by other schemes in the region, such as plans for increased road capacity at Haddricks Mill, car-dependent housing being built on green land in the outskirts of Newcastle, and the continuation of the city's 'Alive After Five' free parking scheme.

And they are calling on civic leaders to spend the last week of the consultation setting out "concrete plans" to make the region's streets cleaner, safer, and healthier.

Sally Watson, chair of Newcastle Cycling Campaign said: "They need to move away from behaviour change campaigns which put the responsibility on individuals to change their behaviour and should outline concrete plans for a high-quality walking and cycling network.

"People will choose to drive if driving feels safer than walking and cycling, and is cheaper than public transport."

Peter McDonald, of SPACE for Gosforth, said that the air pollution campaign must follow the lead of anti-smoking messages and make people "far more aware of this public health risk".

A council spokesperson said: "We fully recognise that poor air quality is a significant public health risk and we are committed to taking action to address this, making our areas cleaner, healthier and easier to get around on foot, by bike and using public transport.

"We have set out proposals that are aimed not only at improving air quality in the short term but that also look at longer term measures that reduce people's reliance on their car and offer better alternative ways to travel.

"Our consultation on these proposals runs until Friday, May 17 and we would encourage anyone who has not yet taken part to do so.

"People can find details of our proposals and the questionnaire at breathe-cleanair.com"

A CAZ would mean estimated charges of £12.50 a day for taxis, vans, and high-polluting cars - diesels made before September 2015 and pre-2006 petrol cars. There would also be a £50 daily fee for buses, coaches, and HGVs.

In contrast, the bridges toll idea would apply to all lorries, vans, and cars - with only buses, taxis, and ultra-low emissions vehicles exempt. The suggested fee at the moment is roughly in line with Tyne Tunnel charges - £1.70 for cars and vans, £3.40 for HGVs.

If chosen as the councils' preferred option, that bridges toll would be implemented alongside a 'Low Emission Zone' which would ban buses, lorries and taxis that do not meet emissions standards from entering Newcastle city centre.