‘Clean Air Zones? We don’t have the foggiest’
AS SIGNS GO UP FOR NEXT YEAR’S SCHEME, BUSINESS CHIEFS SAY MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO SPREAD WORD TO TRADERS
THE first signs for Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) have been spotted amid a warning that thousands of drivers ‘don’t have the foggiest’ what it means.
The CAZ will come into effect on May 30, next year, with the aim of reducing the number of polluting vehicles on the region’s roads.
It means drivers of vans, buses, coaches, taxis and lorries that fail to meet emissions standards must pay a daily charge to drive anywhere in Greater Manchester.
Private vehicles are not included in the plan.
The charge is £60 a day for HGVs, buses and coaches, with vans paying £10 and taxi and private hire vehicles paying £7.50.
Failure to pay the charge will also result in a £120 fine – plus the daily charge.
The zone is being enforced by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and now the first signs have been spotted on Broadway in Chadderton, Oldham.
It shows the CAZ symbol, a green cloud with the letter C, and says ‘Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone Will Operate From 30 May 2022.’
In a tweet last week, Transport for Greater Manchester reassured drivers: “You may see GM Clean Air Zone road signs and enforcement cameras popping up over the next few months.
“We’re getting ready for the launch of the Clean Air Zone on 30 May 2022.
“We’re just testing the cameras at the moment.”
The CAZ continues to spark heated political debate.
The ten Greater Manchester councils insist they are legally obligated by the government to introduce it to secure compliance with NO 2 legal limits on local roads in the shortest possible time, and by 2024 at the latest.
Air pollution is said to contribute towards at least 1,200 deaths per year in the city-region.
Similar zones are already in operation in Bath and Birmingham.
Greater Manchester has secured more than £120m in government funding to help local businesses, people and organisations to upgrade to cleaner vehicles.
A Financial Support Scheme to help drivers upgrade their vehicles is due to launch later this month.
However, some campaigners say more awareness is needed of the CAZ, especially among the thousands of traders that will be among those most affected.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) says it has repeatedly warned the region’s authorities over low levels of awareness among small firms that often reliant on light goods vehicles (LGVs) for their work.
It is estimated there are around 75,000 non-compliant commercial diesel vehicles in Greater Manchester alone.
The zone will also affect thousands of traders who drive into the region from surrounding counties such as Lancashire and Cheshire.
FSB’s North West Regional Chair, Chris Manka, said: “The message we are desperately trying to get across is that the Clean Air Zone is definitely happening, it’s on the way, what are you doing to prepare for it.
“Far too many businesses, especially in the trades - so that’s your painters, decorators, plumbers, carpet fitters, etc - don’t have the foggiest about the CAZ, and that’s just in Greater Manchester.” “If you speak to businesses over the border in Cheshire, Lancashire - or any of the places outside of GM from where the trades travel to do business here - they’re even more in the dark and they’ll still be affected. “This is a real problem that needs addressing now.” Chris added: “We know this is a widespread issue. It’s why we’ve been lobbying local MPs to push the DVLA to write to all affected businesses in GM, which would really help.
“In the mean time we’ve had a leaflet made up to help get the message out, and we’re busy getting this in front of as many affected business owners as possible who use trade counters. If any trade counter in GM - or elsewhere for that matter - would like some leaflets they should contact us and we can supply.
“We’ll also be visiting trade counters across GM where we’ll be handing these out through November.”
● For leaflets or more information about the CAZ email: robert. downes@fsb.org.uk