News that the GM Clean Air Zone has been set back for revised plans to be submitted is welcome. The scheme needs to fully reflect the impact on businesses through the pandemic, both on affordability and the supply chain delays and cost inflation on used vehicles.
The Tories across Greater Manchester have been playing games with the clean air zone, trying to muddy the water to deflect that it is the Tories in Government who issued the legal order to all ten councils in 2019, with Oldham having been issued with one a year earlier.
The rules are set by guidance decided by government who also set out the charging schedule, and even what the signs look like.
That said, I submitted a response to the December 2020 consultation where I expressed my concern then that should the £150m not be provided to allow a hardship fund, then more time should be allowed to allow a fair transition. I also asked for specific exemptions which were not included in the final scheme but are now being considered which is much better news.
As a local MP I will always ensure I am alive to changes on such a large scale as this. I will say however that although I responded to the official consultation, not a single Tory MP who signed the joint letter against the scheme did.
It’s time this moved beyond playground politics when it’s a matter which affects us all, both in terms of the number of lives lost to pollution related illness, and the financial cost of transitioning.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 