News

Government backs Greater Manchester’s plan for a non-charging clean air zone

Finally.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 27th January 2025

Greater Manchester’s plan for the introduction of a non-charging clean air zone has been backed by the Government.

Defra and the Department for Transport (DfT) were said to have “rigorously assessed” an investment-led plan proposed by local Councils, and concluded that it will meet legal obligations to reduce nitrogen dioxide pollution.

This decision comes after Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) published insights of non-charging plans back in December 2023

After much deliberation, the decision now means that drivers in Greater Manchester will not face additional charges, as the area is instead set to benefit instead from 117 new lower and zero-emission buses in a £86 million scheme to help clean up the region’s air.

What was the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone?

Need bringing up to speed a bit first? The Clean Air Zone was to initially hand motorists daily charges of up to £60 for some of the most polluting vehicles on Greater Manchester‘s roads.

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But many will remember that the deadline for the scheme had been put on hold until while the plan was referred back to the Government for “urgent review” in January of last year, following huge backlash and after then Prime Minister Boris Johnson conceded that it was “completely unworkable” for the region.

The Government agreed to delay the deadline for the scheme until 2026, but local leaders wanted to scrap all charges and help to fund vehicle upgrades instead.

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GMCA then set out evidence supporting an investment-led, and, crucially for residents and motorists, a non-charging Clean Air Plan back in June 2022 – which it said was “the best solution” to address the roadside nitrogen dioxide (NO2) problem.

The Government has backed Greater Manchester’s plan for a non-charging clean air zone / Credit: The Manc Group | Flickr

While local authorities in other areas have found that a Clean Air Zone is the best route to cutting nitrogen dioxide pollution, proposals submitted to the Government included evidence that Greater Manchester can achieve compliance with legal limits faster but without charging.

The decision now means that the initial concept of a ‘Clean Air Zone’ will not go ahead in Greater Manchester.

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Instead, there will be a fleet of new buses and traffic-calming measures to improve air quality in the region, as well as £8 million put towards support moving the region’s taxi fleet to ‘cleaner’ vehicles, and up to £22 million allocated for the administration, delivery, monitoring, and other costs associated with all of this.

Local leaders have also been told they can review and cancel contracts relating to the Clean Air Zone – such as signs and cameras dotted across the region.

“We are grateful to this Government for listening to Greater Manchester and for this vote of confidence in our investment-led approach to cleaning up our air,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, as the plans were approved.

“This is the right decision for Greater Manchester and it gives people here the certainty they have long needed.

“Because we have implemented the first phase of the Bee Network on time and on budget, the Government clearly trusts us to deliver and has seen the evidence that our approach is working.

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“The Bee Network is cleaning up our air and keeping the cost of travel as low as possible.

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“Its success is allowing us to remove a big weight of worry off the shoulders of people who need to drive as part of their job.”

Featured Image – Nabeel Syed (via Unsplash)

News

First look at Albert Square as Manchester Christmas Markets return to their spiritual home

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Manchester Christmas Markets are back and all our Christmas wishes have come true, as its spiritual home Albert Square joins in on the festivities for the first time in six years.

Grab a mulled wine, toast yourself a marshmallow and take a seat, because we’re going to take you on a quick tour of this brand-new offering.

Manchester Christmas Markets are back and they’ve returned to their spiritual home right here on Albert Square.

You’ll be able to tick off your Christmas Markets wish list in one place, as Manchester has got all your usual favourites and so much more taking place right here outside of its iconic Town Hall.

As soon as you walk in you’re greeted by a huge sign spelling out the city’s iconic abbreviation ‘MCR’, just in case you forgot where you were, that also doubles as a nice photo opportunity.

Albert Square in Manchester city centre is getting into the Christmas spirit for the first time in six years / Credit: The Manc Group
Albert Square in Manchester city centre is getting into the Christmas spirit for the first time in six years / Credit: The Manc Group
Albert Square in Manchester city centre is getting into the Christmas spirit for the first time in six years / Credit: The Manc Group

As you walk into Albert Square there’s a mix of nostalgic wooden huts and brightly coloured modern street food vendor stations waiting to tempt you with all their tasty treats.

There’s no messing around at this Christmas hotspot because not even 10 feet after you enter, you can warm up with a glühwein and bratwurst, yes please.

Think you’re done sampling some festive feasts? Think again as there’s a marshmallow toasting station, a roasted chestnut cart and lots of huts are offering their own hot chocolate creations.

Local street food vendor Rita’s Reign has made her mark in Albert Square too, serving up her foodie feasts with a seasonal spin such as the ‘Festive Feast’ and ‘Christmas Crunch’ combo boxes.

Rita's Reign is just one of many food vendors at Manchester Christmas Markets / Credit: The Manc Group
Rita's Reign is just one of many food vendors at Manchester Christmas Markets / Credit: The Manc Group
Rita’s Reign is just one of many food vendors at Manchester Christmas Markets / Credit: The Manc Group

As you keep making your way round there’s some lovely gifts and trinkets to browse including tree decorations, ornaments and some vibrant pieces of art.

There’s plenty of ways to keep the kids (and big kids) entertained with some carnival-themed games and stalls as well as a vintage carousel, if that doesn’t get you in the Christmas spirit what else will?

Of course, there’s even more food to mention like mini dutch pancakes, toasted sandwiches, French toast, the list is endless (Much like many of our Christmas lists).

And we couldn’t finish our visit without acknowledging the elephant in the room, also known as The Manchester Big Wheel, which is the perfect people-watching spot, but maybe hop on this ride before you try all the tasty treats mentioned above.

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Featured Images – The Manc Group

News

Drivers warned of ‘bad habit’ that could land them with £1,000 fines this winter

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Drivers are being warned of a ‘bad habit’ on the roads that could seem them hit with hefty fines as winter rolls around.

Once the temperatures drop, and the days get shorter and darker, fog tends to become a more common weather occurrence around this time of year – but an eye-opening new survey has found that most drivers don’t really how to use their fog lights correctly.

According to guidance from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), fog lights should only be used on British roads when visibility drops below 100 metres, yet the new research by eBay has found that 60% of drivers use their fog lights at the wrong times, and what’s more is that one in 10 say they switch on their fog lights when visibility is less than 300 metres.

48% of drivers who took part in the research admitted that they activate full-beam headlights when it’s dark, regardless of oncoming traffic and other road users.

Drivers are being warned of a ‘bad habit’ that could land them with £1,000 fines this winter / Credit: Nabeel Syed (via Unsplash)

The RAC says these stats reveal a ‘worrying trend’ among motorists, and have warned that these habits could actually means drivers are risking fines of up to £1,000 and three penalty points on their licence.

If the incorrect usage of fog lights wasn’t bad enough as it is, the new research also found that many Brits say they do not stay on-top of regular car maintenance when it comes to car fog lights, either – with just 15% saying they check them every month, and shockingly, 24% stating they’ve never checked them before.

Due to the ongoing issue of headlight glare, in whatever form that may be, The RAC has found that as many as one in four drivers (25%) who find headlights ‘too bright’ are actually driving less as a result.

“Unfortunately for a lot of drivers, the annual onset of darker evenings coincides with another unwelcome arrival – that of overly-bright headlights that they believe make driving more difficult due to dazzle and discomfort,” explained Rod Dennis, who is the Senior Policy Officer at the RAC.

“While most of us have no choice other than to adapt to driving at night more often as the clocks go back, the fact headlight glare is the leading cause of nervousness underlines it’s a problem that needs tackling.

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“At the same time, it’s important to remember that brighter headlights can give drivers a better view of the road ahead, so there’s a balance to be struck.”

Featured Image – Robin the Bird (via Unsplash)

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