Firms ‘concerned’ about plans for clean air zones
ATTEMPTS to introduce Clean Air Zones across Greater Manchester this year were done without reference to neighbouring Lancashire areas, a Rossendale borough councillor has claimed.
The plan to create feepaying Clean Air Zones has caused ‘great concern’ for businesses which need to travel into Greater Manchester and the deadlines to launch the scheme were unrealistic, it has also been claimed.
Rossendale Conservative Coun Anne Cheetham made her criticisms of the Greater Manchester plans during an update on climate change work at the borough council’s Overview & Scrutiny Committee on Monday.
Under the original Clean Air Zones plan by Greater Manchester Combined
Authority, operators of more-polluting vehicles on specific Greater Manchester roads faced charges of between £7.50 and £60 a day.
The combined authority represents ten borough councils in Greater Manchester.
It originally intended to launch the Clean Air Zone scheme last month.
But the plans were put on-hold earlier this year after protests from people including taxi drivers, haulage firms and some politicians.
Clean Air Zones are designed to encourage people to use cleaner vehicles, such as electric or modern petrol and diesel-powered engines.
The Westminster government wants them created across the UK and told cities and regions to come up with local schemes. But different areas had some flexibility in how it is done.
Coun Cheetham is also the new Rossendale Mayor, which is a ceremonial role, but was speaking in a political capacity at the borough scrutiny meeting.
She was stranding-in for another Conservative who was unable to attend.
Her comments came at the end of a report on climate change activity.
Coun Cheetham said: “I trust we will have a report about Greater Manchester areas which seem to take action without any reference to neighbouring areas needing access to Greater Manchester?
“We need greater thought about dates.
“I hope we have someone here to observe transport methods.
“I gather they (Greater Manchester authorities) have been thinking to review the situation and focus on Manchester city centre.
“This has caused great concerns, particularly with small businesses and people getting to work.
“Not everything can be done within two or three years.
“It could be ten years to get this sorted.
“Consultation would be a great leveller for the area.”
She added: “What one area does can have an impact on another area, which does not have quite the same problem.
“Things have to be phased. Let’s make sure we get it done in the right way.”
Rossendale Overview & Scrutiny Committee chairwoman Labour Coun Janice Johnson said: “Yes, but we also have to remember that young people are suffering problems such as asthma.”
Mandy Lewis, the council’s Director of Economic Development who has a planning background, said: “Our officers are always on the alert for what is going on in surrounding areas. But I will flag this up.”
She said borough council officers were working on various climate change-related projects and other work.
This included ‘supplementary planning documents’.
These are guidance documents designed to explain more about the borough’s key Local Plan, which highlights future priorities and preferences in areas including housing, jobs, economic development, infrastructure education and skills.
Labour Coun Annie McMahon said she was also concerned with children’s asthma and traffic pollution near schools.
Work was needed to promote more children walking to schools and persuade parents to turn off car engines outside school gates.