Manchester Clean Air Zone: When Andy Burnham expects a Government decision on Clean Air Zone issues

Talks have begun between the city-region and Westminster after the roll-out of the zone was paused due to concerns about vehicle availability and cost.
Andrew Nowell
By Andrew Nowell
Published 27th Jan 2022, 09:57 GMT
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Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has met with the Government to discuss the city-region’s Clean Air Zone.

Council leaders in Greater Manchester recently asked for the roll-out of the environmental scheme to be paused due to concerns that compliant vehicles were too expensive for many people and businesses to upgrade and not available due to supply chain problems.

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Mr Burnham has now met with Environment Secretary George Eustice to talk about the issues.

A timetable for deciding the fate of the green scheme and those who will be affected by it is beginning to emerge.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester speaks to the media as final preparations take place ahead of the Conservative Party Conference at the Manchester Central Convention Complex on October 02, 2021 in Manchester, England. This year's Conservative Party Conference returns as a hybrid of in-person and online events after last year it was changed to a virtual event due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Boris Johnson addresses the party as its leader for the third time. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester speaks to the media as final preparations take place ahead of the Conservative Party Conference at the Manchester Central Convention Complex on October 02, 2021 in Manchester, England. This year's Conservative Party Conference returns as a hybrid of in-person and online events after last year it was changed to a virtual event due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Boris Johnson addresses the party as its leader for the third time. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester speaks to the media as final preparations take place ahead of the Conservative Party Conference at the Manchester Central Convention Complex on October 02, 2021 in Manchester, England. This year's Conservative Party Conference returns as a hybrid of in-person and online events after last year it was changed to a virtual event due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Boris Johnson addresses the party as its leader for the third time. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)

What happened at the meeting?

A spokesperson for Mr Burnham said the Mayor had a “constructive” meeting with Mr Eustice after council leaders decided the Clean Air Zone should go back to the Government for review.

The spokesperson said: “The Mayor relayed his view, and that of the 10 council leaders, that major changes are needed to the scheme to protect businesses and jobs in light of the new emerging evidence about problems in the vehicle market.

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“The Secretary of State agreed to meet again with the Mayor in the next 7-10 days to agree a way forward.”

Why did the meeting take place?

Greater Manchester is bringing in a Category C Clean Air Zone, which ultimately goes back to the Government losing a case on air pollution in the Supreme Court.

Clean Air GM says air pollution contributes to at least 1,200 deaths across the city-region each year.

The aim is to bring down levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) as soon as possible, and by 2024 at the latest.

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Private cars are not included in the scheme, which mainly targets commercial vehicles which do not meet emissions standards.

However, there has been a huge public and business backlash against the Clean Air Zone which has accelerated since the infrastructure started appearing around the city-region.

The roll-out of the Clean Air Zone in Greater Manchester has been paused while problems are considered. Photo: Shutterstock The roll-out of the Clean Air Zone in Greater Manchester has been paused while problems are considered. Photo: Shutterstock
The roll-out of the Clean Air Zone in Greater Manchester has been paused while problems are considered. Photo: Shutterstock

The authorities were warned of huge impacts on businesses and jobs, saying rising prices in the second-hand vehicle market and global supply chain issues mean many people needing to get hold of greener vehicles cannot afford them or simply cannot get their hands on them.

It was therefore decided the second phase of the roll-out, which involved funding for upgrading or replacing vans, LGVs, minibuses, coaches and GM-licensed taxis and private hire vehicles, should be paused.

Phase one, involving HGVs, buses, and non-Greater Manchester licensed taxis and private hire vehicles, goes ahead as planned on 30 May.

Related topics:Andy BurnhamMayorGeorge EusticeGreater ManchesterGovernment