Your ‘clean air’ questions answered

THE Defra plan states authorities must develop ‘innovative proposals’ to bring pollution levels within the legal limits in the shortest time possible.

There are two types of Clean Air Zones – charging and non-charging.

Charging zones apply only to older, higher-polluting models of the vehicle types. However, Clean Air Zones are not required to include a charging zone, it states.

They should only be put in place where ‘equally effective alternatives’ can’t be found.

Vehicles which meet the minimum emission standard for the Clean Air Zone will be able to enter free of charge.

Authorities must consult with residents and revenue must go back to transport budgets.

The concept of Clean Air Zones was introduced last year, when TfGM announced plans to launch a feasibility study.

However, at the time only HGVs and buses were mentioned – not cars. At the time ‘impact on economy’ and fears such zones could ‘drive business and visitors away from the city’ were cited as major concerns. IN the charging zones, drivers must pay a charge to enter or move within a zone if they are driving a high-polluting vehicle.

Authorities can choose how strict they are.

Levels of polluting vehicles fall into four categories, A to D.

It’s understood Greater Manchester is looking at implementing Class D, the only one to include cars.

Class D applies to all diesel cars below a Euro 6 standard - which includes most cars registered before September 2015.

Under this category, charges would also apply to petrol cars below a Euro 4 standard - which includes most cars registered before 2006. GREATER Manchester rejected the idea of a congestion charge in a 2008 referendum. It was proposed that vehicles entering the area bounded by the M60 motorway would be charged £2 in the morning peak, with a further £1 for those entering the Manchester Inner ring road.

In the evening, a further £1 would have been charged on exit of each cordon.

It had the backing of former Manchester council chief executive, Sir Howard Bernstein.

But he admitted last year the policy had been a ‘mistake’ – because it had not allowed for the ‘day-to-day political and practical implications’ of such a radical move.

Transport leaders have been clear that Clean Air Zones and the congestion charge are two very different things.

And new mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has pledged there will be no congestion charge in Greater Manchester.