Andy Burnham says decision on Clean Air Zone will be made in coming weeks
It follows backlash from a petition that has had tens of thousands of signatures
Greater Manchester's leaders say they'll make a decision in the next few weeks on the roll out of a Clean Air Zone (CAZ), which would affect some of the most polluting vehicles in the city.
Plans for the scheme propose than from the end of May the most polluting vehicles within Greater Manchester's 10 boroughs will face a daily charge - an area of approximately 493 square miles.
In a statement issued today, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Councillor Andrew Western, the city-region’s Clean Air lead said:
'In March 2020, the Government instructed all ten Greater Manchester councils to introduce a charging Clean Air Zone to tackle harmful levels of air pollution and achieve compliance with legal standards by 2024 at the latest.
'While the Government has provided £120m, we are concerned that they have so far failed to agree to our request for additional support for those who will find it hardest to make the change. We also warned them of our on-going concerns about the vehicle supply chain and the cooperation of National Highways.'
'We are committed to reducing air pollution in Greater Manchester but also to protecting the jobs and livelihoods of our residents'
The statement also states that the Greater Manchester Combined Authority have been monitoring the on-going impact of the pandemic and increases in the cost of living to see how this will influence their decision.
Mayor Burnham continues: 'Late last year we commissioned new work to understand the impact of the growing global supply chain issues in the automotive sector which could affect the availability of some vehicles and people’s ability to upgrade.
'Greater Manchester leaders will consider the outcome of this work next week before asking the Clean Air Joint Committee to consider the implications for the Clean Air Plan later in the month.
"We are committed to reducing air pollution in Greater Manchester but also to protecting the jobs and livelihoods of our residents. We are listening carefully to concerns being expressed about the current situation and will make a decision shortly on our next steps.”
Could cost some up to "over £3000 a year"
Backlash from the public has resulted in a petition that has been signed tens of thousands of people opposing the CAZ scheme.
As of today (6th January), over 24,000 people have signed the petition that was started by Paul Delve.
Danny Danson, a handyman from Stockport, worries about how small businesses like his will be hit.
"Financially it's going to cost me over £3000 a year", said Danny.
"As a handyman I have to go out to jobs and price the jobs up to see if I can do it and how much it's going to cost them. I can't go around charging £10 to the first customer just to go an visit, just for leaving the house.
"I'm sure the big firms are going to take a big hit as well, but the little firms are one man bands. They struggle to keep a van, get it MOT'd and keep it serviced and up to date. It's a massive cost. So, to the small companies, like myself, we will take a big hit on this."
What are the plans for the Clean Air Zone?
The CAZ would spread across Greater Manchester's 10 boroughs, including Wigan, and charge the most polluting vehicles a daily fee.
Cameras will be installed across the roads within Manchester, to enforce a non-payment of the CAZ charge.
In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that the UK government had broken the law by failing to protect people from polluted air and that urgent action needed to be taken, with Manchester being one of 16 regions and cities within the UK that suffer from illegal levels of NO2, nitrogen dioxide .
As a result, all 10 Greater Manchester councils have been directed by law to reduce air pollution by 2024.
Air pollution within the city is said to contribute towards at least 1,200 deaths per year.
So far, more than £120m of Government funding has been put in place to help eligible drivers upgrade their vehicles and avoid the daily charge.
The Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone due to launch 30 May 2022.
What are the CAZ charges?
The proposed daily charges for the CAZ are:
- Buses and heavy good vehicles (HGV) - £60 (from 30 May 2022)
- Coaches – £60 (temporary exemption until 1 June 2023)
- Taxis and private hire vehicles – £7.50 (from 30 May 2022)
- Private Motorhomes/Campervans in the main will also be included but the daily charge and date of introduction will depend on the tax class of the vehicle