Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has announced the scrapping of plans to implement Clean Air Zone charges in the region, which would have mimicked the controversial Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) in London.
Instead, the authority unveiled an ambitious £51.2 million investment strategy on Wednesday, focusing on zero-emission electric buses for the area’s so-called Bee Network, alongside £30.5 million in grants for cleaner taxis and an additional £5 million to optimise traffic flows in the city centre.
The decision stems from concerns that a Clean Air Zone charging scheme might not adequately meet the 2026 pollution reduction target and could unfairly burden residents and businesses. Mr. Burnham outlined the alternative approach as an expedited investment in public transport infrastructure and the promotion of cleaner vehicles. This move aims to enhance air quality without placing additional financial stress on the community.
The initially proposed Clean Air Zone, which included charges for buses, lorries, vans, minibuses, and taxis, had faced scrutiny, leading to a temporary hold in February and eventual abandonment after a comprehensive review.
Mr. Burnham argued that prioritising an investment-led strategy, inspired by London’s integrated public transport network, could deliver quicker improvements in air quality.
Concerns Over London Model
However, Howard Cox, founder of FairFuel UK, expressed scepticism and suggested that Mr. Burnham might be leveraging political expediency with an election looming. Mr. Cox emphasised the need to explore alternative emission reduction methods without resorting to a “clean air tax,” echoing concerns about replicating London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s approach in other cities.In a statement, Mr. Burnham defended the decision, saying, “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 also highlighted the commitment to fairness, affordability, and democratic decision-making, pinpointing the need for an approach that benefits the entire community. The proposal, set to undergo central government approval, marks a notable departure from the prevailing trend of Clean Air Zones adopted by several UK cities, underscoring Greater Manchester’s commitment to prioritising investment in sustainable transportation solutions.
Mr. Cox said, “Manchester’s mayor is waking up to the common sense that the poorest are the voters that will be hit hardest if he introduces a so-called clean air tax on driving.”
Mr. Cox also stressed the importance of exploring alternatives to reduce emissions without placing an additional financial burden on motorists, urging a comprehensive and democratic approach to address air quality concerns.
Council Trying To Avoid ‘Financial Hardship’
Bury Council Leader Eamonn O’Brien said: “We know that there are very serious consequences of dirty air in Greater Manchester and that the health impacts are not always felt equally. We want to do the right thing in the right way, using an investment-led, non-charging plan to clean the air in a supportive and transitional way, that does not create the risk of financial hardship.“While we can now prove our case for an investment-led plan, modelling shows that we can’t achieve compliance through a charging Clean Air Zone by 2026.
“There is now a compelling case for what Greater Manchester has set out—a plan that is fairer, cheaper, more affordable and more democratic.”
In London, Mr. Khan’s expansion of the ULEZ zone has led to a huge backlash from both the public and opposition politicians.
Crimes related to theft or damage of ULEZ enforcement cameras in London surpassed 1,000 cases this month, according to the latest official statistics from the London Metropolitan Police, seen by The Epoch Times.
In a period spanning April 1 to Nov. 30, the Met recorded 1,095 crimes linked to ULEZ cameras.
These offences included 252 reports of camera thefts and 843 instances of camera damage.
