Families taking their sick children to hospital may still be paying daily clean air zone fees despite a council saying it would look at exempting them four months ago.

The Echo told in August how Paul O’Donovan was landed with a fine when taking his young daughter Lyla to hospital at the RVI in Newcastle for a brain surgery appointment.

Paul, an army man from Catterick, drives a 15-plate Peugeot Expert van big enough to fit Lyla’s wheelchair. The van falls into the category of vehicles that have had to pay a daily £12.50 charge to enter central Newcastle since July 17 this year.

The Northern Echo: Paul O'Donovan and daughter Lyla who has a brain tumour.Paul O'Donovan and daughter Lyla who has a brain tumour. (Image: PAUL O'DONOVAN)

There are currently no exemptions for blue badge holders or journeys taken for medical purposes.

Newcastle Council revoked Paul’s fine and exempted him from paying the charge after being contacted by The Northern Echo in August, and said it would “look at the possibility of exemptions for all blue badge holders”.

But four months on the council is yet to decide on a possible exemption - and The Echo understands there is currently no timeframe for a decision being made, although the council says it is still looking into the issue.

It comes as Paul says the charge could be the difference of an extra Christmas present for a sick child this festive season.

The 38-year-old said: “How hard is it to just make that decision?

“It has been four months and we’re now in December. It isn’t a massive decision. They managed to do it for us overnight, so how does it take that long?

“I’m grateful they exempted us, but it’s wrong that the family in the next bed along to Lyla or on the same ward could be paying the charge.

“To families who are struggling anyway that £12.50 is probably an extra Christmas present.

“They don’t realise the costs families with children in hospital have. We already have to pay £8 a day to park and for food while we’re there. This is another cost on having a sick child.

“Some are in hospital for a long time, sometimes months, and don’t realise how much money it costs.”

Lyla, 11, has undergone 18 brain surgeries after being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2016 when she was just three, and has spent the last seven years going in and out of hospital.

The Northern Echo: Lyla before she went into surgery at the RVI.Lyla before she went into surgery at the RVI. (Image: PAUL O'DONOVAN)

She’s due to go into surgery on December 22 and will likely have to spend Christmas on the wards.

Newcastle Council said it is continuing to look into the possibility of an exemption.

A spokesperson for Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zone said: “The Clean Air Zone boundary was drawn to ensure that the Royal Victoria Infirmary is outside of the zone. This is so that people travelling to the hospital can avoid charges if their vehicle is not compliant with the national CAZ requirements.

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“Not all vehicles are affected by the CAZ, which only applies to older and more polluting taxis, vans, buses, coaches and HGVs. It does not apply to private cars.

“We are continuing to look at whether changes can be made to the legal order for the Clean Air Zone, which sets out which vehicles may qualify for an exemption.

“This is a complex process and any changes to the legal order will require formal Cabinet approval from both Newcastle and Gateshead councils.”