GM Mayor tells the Government to pull its finger out over air pollution crisis

Greater Manchester Mayor, Tony Lloyd

Central government has rejected proposals to deliver an effective air pollution action plan within eight months – a move which has frustrated environmentalists and Greater Manchester Mayor Tony Lloyd.

Mr Lloyd said: “The Government needs to pull its finger out on this issue. They’ve been found in breach of legal air quality guidelines, and now they need to act on it. Fast.

“An estimated 2,000 people die every year in Greater Manchester because of poor air quality. This is a serious issue and we need the Government to work with us quickly so we can stop putting lives at risk and begin to protect the people who live and work here.

"Earlier this month, the Government was found to be in breach of the law when the high court ruled that their plans to tackle air pollution were inadequate and illegal.

"The Greater Manchester Air Quality Action Plan, which is due to be published by the end of 2016, following public consultation earlier this year, is already based on meeting tougher targets for reducing nitrogen oxide air pollution than the legal limits set by the EU.

"Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is confident that it will improve air quality in the region and help meet legal limits as soon as possible. GMCA is studying the high court ruling and will liaise with Defra to consider any possible impact on the action plan."