Cleaner air the aim for Rochdale taxi tests

Taxi drivers are being urged to clean up their act after four vehicles failed basic emissions tests during a Council-led sweep of the Borough.

The operation was one of a series of test days organised as part of Greater Manchester's Cleaner Vehicles campaign, designed to reduce vehicle emissions and improve the quality of the air that we breathe.

In all, 29 vehicles were tested across the Borough, including both Hackney carriages and Private Hire. Four were found to have higher emissions levels than permitted.

Executive member for Environment amp; Sustainability, Councillor Wera Hobhouse said: "The worst ten percent of vehicles account for thirty percent of all vehicle emissions. By cracking down on drivers who flout the law, we will make Rochdale - and Greater Manchester a better, safer and healthier place to live, improving life for everyone."

Environmental Health and Licensing Manager, Adrian Watson said: "I am pleased that compliance was generally good. However the results do highlight the need for drivers to be vigilant and to regularly check their vehicles. Most of the main roads within the borough are in what's known as air quality management areas.  It is an offence to drive a vehicle in these areas when emissions exceed the MOT levels for that vehicle."

More test dates are planned in the next few months, which will include locations in Heywood and Middleton.