Clean Air Zone plans could be pushed back because of ‘chaos in Westminster’

‘Chaos in Westminster’ could cause a decision on the Clean Air Zone to be pushed back as Greater Manchester waits for the government to respond.

The controversial scheme, which was set to start charging some of the most polluting vehicles on the city-region’s roads earlier this year, has been paused.

Mayor Andy Burnham said the scheme became ‘unworkable’ post-pandemic because Covid made the cost of upgrading to cleaner vehicles unaffordable.

It followed a public backlash which led to the government agreeing to a delay.

Local leaders have since submitted a revised proposal for an incentive-led scheme which they argue will be enough to bring pollution below legal limits.

But responding to calls to scrap charges, former environment secretary George Eustice suggested charging some vehicles in the city centre only.

Talks with government officials have continued, but Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says they are waiting for ministers to make a decision.

Speaking to councillors at meeting on Wednesday (26 October), TfGM boss Megan Black said that the delay might mean plans have to be pushed back.

This includes delaying the public consultation promised early next year.

She said: “If government feedback isn’t received by the end of next week, then we will need to review the programme of work and bring back a revised timeline in terms of a public consultation.”

Bury councillor Alan Quinn, said the delays to responses from the government recently has been ‘frustrating’.

He said: “If we’ve got a continual hamster wheel of ministers going in and out, it just slows things up and the only people who are going to suffer are the people of Greater Manchester.”

Stockport councillor Mark Roberts said: “It’s disappointing that the chaos in Westminster is going to be costing taxpayers considerable and the work frankly that our officers have been doing to get better air quality for Manchester.”

The Lib Dem councillor also asked if Greater Manchester Police, which has been using the cameras installed for the Clean Air Zone to investigate some crimes, will contribute towards the costs, which amount to £375,000 a month.

It comes after a new report revealed that more than £60m has been spent on Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Zone so far despite it never being switched on.

The city-region is now asking for the government to cover a £13m funding shortfall for the operational costs which were supposed to be covered by revenue from the charges and for the development of a new Clean Air Plan.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the proposal submitted in July is being reviewed and ministers will respond in due course.

Joseph Timan, Local Democracy Reporting Service