Anger as Clean Air Zone hold-up reaches a year

THIS week marks a year since the Clean Air Zone was supposed to come into force across Greater Manchester

- JOSEPH TIMAN

Daily charges for vehicles which pollute the region’s roads the most were set to start from May 30, 2022.

Lorries, buses and coaches which did not meet emissions standards would have been charged £60 a day from this date, while non-compliant vans, taxis and private hire vehicles were set to face daily penalties of £7.50 in 2023.

But the controversial plan was put on hold following a massive public backlash.

The scheme was paused after the pandemic, which had forced a general increase in the cost of vehicles. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham argued that, for this reason, introducing the charges would not have had the desired effect of cleaning up the air because vehicle owners could not afford to upgrade.

But campaigners say the delays are likely to have cost lives.