The case for a new “investment-led” non-charging Clean Air Zone (CAZ) plan in Greater Manchester has now been published.
After the previous plan was referred back to the government for “urgent review” back in January, and after Prime Minister Boris Johnson conceded that it was “completely unworkable” for the region, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has now set out evidence supporting an investment-led, and crucially for residents and motorists, a non-charging Clean Air Plan – which it says is “the best solution” to address the roadside nitrogen dioxide (NO2) problem.
The publishing of the new plan also comes after Environment Secretary George Eustice suggested that the region consider implementing a smaller charging Clean Air Zone that just covers Manchester city centre.
However, all of Greater Manchester’s leaders say they are clear that clean air compliance should be achieved through a non-charging approach.
Unlike the previous charging Clean Air Zone scheme set out by the government, GMCA says this new plan takes into account the rising cost of living crisis by avoiding charging motorists across the region, and will also “actively consider” the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic – particularly on Manchester city centre.
🗣️ “Government wants us to charge Greater Manchester businesses at a time they can least afford it.”
The case for a new investment-led, non-charging Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan has been published by @greatermcr before being submitted to Government. https://t.co/8Qk7fsq4YN
— Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham (@MayorofGM) June 29, 2022
The new case also addresses some concerns that were previously raised over the price of new and used commercial vehicles rising, which makes upgrading less affordable for people.
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GMCA insists that tackling the health impact of poor air quality still remains a top priority for Greater Manchester.
“The Case for a New Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan outlines how Greater Manchester would meet air quality legal limits in a way which is fair to local people and businesses and does not create the risk of financial hardship,” explains Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.
“Our city is still recovering from the pandemic and we don’t want the government to level-down our city-centre with their proposals to charge businesses from across Greater Manchester who have to travel through or work within the proposed charging area [as] even a small charging Clean Air Zone would result in a considerable financial burden for the many businesses moving products and people through Manchester city centre, providing a significant setback in economic recovery from the impact of the pandemic, and during a cost of living crisis.
“The government wants us to charge Greater Manchester businesses at a time when they can least afford it.”
The case for a new “investment-led” non-charging Clean Air Zone (CAZ) plan in Greater Manchester has now been published / Credit: David Dixon (via Geograph)
Once the plan has been considered by the Greater Manchester Air Quality Administration Committee (GM AQAC) – which is made up of elected representatives of Greater Manchester’s 10 local authorities – it will be submitted to the government to meet a deadline on 1 July.
Tasked by the government to bring NO2 air pollution within legal limits as soon as possible and by 2026 at the latest, the GM AQAC will be asked to agree that the next stage of the new plan will be developed through intensive engagement with business and the community.
“Based on the evidence, including the impact that a charging Clean Air Zone would have on their ability to make a living, and the risk to jobs and livelihoods, we have had the opportunity to fundamentally change the nature of the Clean Air scheme which we now feel is fit for purpose and fair to the people of our city region,” said Cllr Andrew Western, GMCA’s portfolio lead for Clean Air.
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He added: “We will now move into a period of more intensive engagement with business and the community to bring together the detailed policy of the new Clean Air Plan.”
You can find out more and read the GM CAZ plan in full here.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
News
Hawksmoor issues statement after ‘kicking out’ Tommy Robinson from one of its restaurants
Hawksmoor has issued a statement after a viral video captured far-right activist Tommy Robinson being asked to leave one of its restaurants.
In the video, staff at the acclaimed British steak house told Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – that he would have to go because members of staff feel uncomfortable serving you’.
The supervisor then politely told the party not to worry about the drinks and that they had been paid for, also handing over a business card for Hawksmoor CEO Will Beckett in case they wanted to discuss the matter further.
Robinson was dining in one of the group’s London restaurants with former prominent EDL member Guramit Singh Kalirai who challenged the staff and asked: “Is it because of the colour of my skin?”
The supervisor responded: “No, no, no. We have a duty of care to our members of staff. We like to look after our people, as I’m sure you can understand.”
After the video went viral on X, Hawksmoor went on to share a statement in response, saying that guests and staff ‘felt uncomfortable and complained’.
The statement, signed by CEO Will Beckett, added that the Hawksmoor team has faced ‘a huge amount’ of ‘quite concerning’ fallout from the Tommy Robinson incident.
He added that ‘this was not about politics or beliefs’.
Hawksmoor’s statement reads: “Our focus is always to give the best restaurant experience to the most people possible.
“On Thursday, a public figure was asked to leave one of our restaurants because guests and staff felt uncomfortable and had complained. The party left peacefully and politely on request.
“This was not about politics or beliefs. Hawksmoor is not a political organisation; we’re a group of restaurants. We want to welcome as many people as possible, regardless of background or views, to our teams or as our guests.
“We’re not trying to engage in a public debate. The team has had to deal with a huge amount of fallout from this, some of which is quite concerning. We would like to get back to focussing on looking after those people, and our guests. Thank you to them, and the many of you who have been so supportive.”
Video footage showing the last-known movements of a Manchester man who’s been missing for three weeks now has been released.
Detectives at Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are continuing to search for Adeo Alston-Ekpei, who has not been seen since Friday 16 May.
The 25-year-old was seen in Fletcher Moss Park in Didsbury at around 3pm, before later being seen walking down Kingsway away from Manchester and close to the River Mersey, at around 5.20pm that same day.
Multiple lines of enquiry being explored by police at present, but anyone who believes they may have seen him from around this time, is asked to get in touch.
Adeo is described as being a mixed-race male, with long curly black hair and a long singular dreadlock, and bleached eyebrows. He has a cupid’s bow piercing and a right eyebrow piercing. He also has an ‘AKA’ tattoo on his right wrist, and a ‘24’ tattoo in the right side of his chest.
He was last seen wearing long blue denim shorts, an undone green short-sleeved button-up shirt, and white Adidas trainers.
Friends have also recently set up a public fundraiser to help with the search for Adeo.
Adeo Alston-Ekpei has been missing for almost three weeks / Credit: GMP
“We are dedicated to finding Adeo and getting much-needed answers for his family,” commented Detective Inspector Kelly, from GMP’s Manchester district, as the footage was released to the public this week.
“I would ask any residents around the Kingsway area, and surrounding housing estates off Kingsway into Gately, and who may have dashcam or CCTV footage from around this time, to please check and get in touch if you have any information.
“Likewise, if anyone believes they have seen Adeo, please get in touch with one of our officers. Any information is appreciated and investigated as we continue our work.”
#MISSING | We are continuing to ask for information relating to missing Adeo, who was last seen on May 16.
We have additionally released CCTV footage showing Adeo’s last known movements on Kingsway, Manchester.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) June 5, 2025
A spokesperson for Adeo’s family described the missing man as ‘kind, funny, and intelligent’ with a ‘huge heart’, but they say he ‘wasn’t himself when he disappeared’.
“He may have come across as agitated, lost, or confused,” the spokesperson admitted. “In his last call to his mum, he was in a very vulnerable state.”
Anyone with any information regarding Adeo’s whereabouts is urged to contact South Manchester CID directly on 0161 856 6051 or 0161 856 6063, or you can use the LiveChat function on GMP’s website and quote log number 838 of 18/05/25.
Alternatively, you can report information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Emily Sergeant -
30th June 2022 
