William Eichler 14 December 2023

Mayor Burnham criticises fee-paying clean air zone

Mayor Burnham criticises fee-paying clean air zone  image
Image: Juiced Up Media / Shutterstock.com.

More public investment in buses and taxis will improve air quality in Greater Manchester faster than a fee-paying clean air zone (CAZ), Mayor Andy Burnham says.

Greater Manchester’s 10 local authorities are legally directed by Government to bring nitrogen dioxide within legal limits by 2026.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has set out its plan for achieving this target including a £51.2m investment in electric buses for the Bee Network, £30.5m for cleaner taxis, and £5m for measures to manage traffic flow.

This proposed investment would bring air quality within legal limits for nitrogen dioxide on local roads by 2025, whereas a charging CAZ would fail to meet the 2026 deadline, according to the GMCA.

The Government will have the final say on whether Greater Manchester will go ahead with its investment plan or a charging CAZ.

Mayor Burnham said: ‘By accelerating investment in the Bee Network to create a London-style integrated public transport network, and upgrading GM-licensed taxis, we can improve air quality faster than if we introduced a Clean Air Zone, and without causing hardship to our residents or businesses.’

He added: ‘I’d also ask Government to urgently consider allowing Greater Manchester local authorities to remove charging Clean Air Zone signs, as modelling shows that only Greater Manchester’s investment-led plan can meet the legal test placed on the 10 councils to deliver compliance in the shortest possible time and by 2026 at the latest.’

If this article was of interest, then check out our features, 'Now I am become Uxbridge, destroyer of rational climate discourse' and 'Home County drivers face taxation without representation'.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Adult Social Care Support Worker - Technology Enabled Care

Essex County Council
£25395.00 - £32131.00 per annum
Adult Social Care Support Worker - Technology Enabled CareFixed Term, Full Time£25,391 to £32,131 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Placement Officer

Essex County Council
£28220.00 - £33200.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Placement OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,220 to £33,200 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Engineer x 2

Hounslow London Borough Council
£47,532 –£55,620 per annum
Our people are deeply committed to providing excellent services to our residents, doing all we can to make lives as good as they can be. Hounslow (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recuriter: Hounslow London Borough Council

Senior Highways Engineer

Hounslow London Borough Council
£50,754 – £53,607 per annum
Our people are deeply committed to providing excellent services to our residents, doing all we can to make lives as good as they can be. Hounslow (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recuriter: Hounslow London Borough Council

Customer Service Adviser

Oxfordshire County Council
£24404 - £24790
You will be the Customer Service Adviser at Abingdon Library. Customer Service Advisers are the first point of contact with library customers and library partners. The role involves continual interaction with users of the library, face to face, via email Abingdon
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council
Linkedin Banner