In case you need bringing up to speed, 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, 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.
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
And now, further details of those plans have been shared with the public this week ahead of a full report being submitted to the Greater Manchester Air Quality Administration Committee – with the committee to be asked to approve the region’s evidence to the Government when it meets on 20 December.
🐝 We've set out a compelling plan to show how Greater Manchester can meet clean air targets with a non-charging approach, investing in:
🚍 Zero-emission electric buses on our @BeeNetwork 🚕 A Clean Taxi Fund 🚦 Better traffic management
According to GMCA’s new modelling, Greater Manchester can bring air quality within legal limits “without the need for” and “faster than” a charging Clean Air Zone.
By building on the launch of the new Bee Network, and using clean air funding already awarded by the Government, Greater Manchester’s proposal includes a £51.2 million investment in zero-emission electric buses for the Bee Network, £30.5 million to fund grants for cleaner taxis, and £5 million for measures to manage traffic flow on some roads in the centre of Manchester and Salford.
Greater Manchester’s preferred plan would mean that no vehicle would be charged to drive in a Clean Air Zone in Greater Manchester.
ADVERTISEMENT
“By accelerating investment in the Bee Network to create a London-style integrated public transport network, and upgrading GM-licensed taxis, we can improve air quality faster than if we introduced a Clean Air Zone,” Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham explained.
“And without causing hardship to our residents or businesses too.”
Greater Manchester has published plans for a new non-charging Clean Air Zone / Credit: Ocean Outdoor
He added: “I’d also ask the Government to urgently consider allowing Greater Manchester local authorities to remove charging Clean Air Zone signs.modelling shows that only Greater Manchester’s investment-led plan can meet the legal test placed on the 10 councils to deliver compliance in the shortest possible time and by 2026 at the latest.”
GMCA insists that once it’s had full formal Government feedback on the Clean Air Plan, following the submission of this additional evidence, it will “consider timescales” for a public consultation on the plan, so local residents can have their say.
In the meantime, you can read more about the new Clear Air Plan here.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
News
Met Office issues snow warnings for large parts of northern England from this evening
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester could be waking up to a winter wonderland as weather warnings for snow and ice have been issued across northern England.
Expected to arrive anywhere from 6pm this evening (18 November) and last until around 10am tomorrow morning (19 November), the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice for large parts of northern England – indicating that “snow may bring disruption to a central swathe of the UK during Monday night and Tuesday morning”.
Weather forecasters say that although most snow is likely to accumulate on higher ground, with five-10 cm on ground over 200 metres, and possibly 15-20 cm over 300 metres, there is a chance that snow may settle at lower levels “within the warning area”.
The Met Office also said that this possible five-10 cm at lower levels is likely to be “more disruptive”, particularly if travelling and if the snow coincides with rush hour, but the likelihood for that is still “uncertain” at this stage.
Greater Manchester could see snow from this evening as the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning / Credit: Geograph | Pexels
As the rain, sleet, and snow begin to clear on tomorrow morning, ice may form on surfaces that are untreated.
“We have issued yellow warnings for snow and ice as cold weather moves in from the north,” explained Andy Page, who is a Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office.
“This brings snow showers and some ice to parts of Scotland on Sunday night, and then the potential for a spell of snow to lead to disruption to some transport routes across a central swathe of the UK on Tuesday morning.”
⚠️ Yellow weather warning UPDATED ⚠️
Snow & ice across southern parts of Scotland, northern England, the Midlands and north Wales
In addition to the severe weather warnings, a Cold Health Alert has also been issued by the UKHSA, and it covers the north of England and the Midlands right through until Thursday.
Murder investigation launched after two fatal stabbings in Moss Side
Emily Sergeant
A murder investigation has now been launched following two fatal stabbings in Moss Side this past weekend.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called to reports that two people that had suffered stab wounds on Great Southern Street, in the Moss Side area of Manchester, at around 5am yesterday morning (17 November), and when they arrived at the scene, two men were treated for their injuries.
Despite the best efforts of all emergency services involved, the two men were sadly both pronounced dead at the scene.
Since the shocking incident, a man who was arrested on suspicion of murder at the scene earlier yesterday has now been detained under the Mental Health Act after being assessed by medical professionals, GMP has confirmed.
Initial inquires are currently ongoing, and police say they believe that the suspect and one of the victims were known to each other.
GMP say they are treating this as an isolated incident with “no threat to the wider public”.
#UPDATE | The man who we arrested on suspicion of murder earlier today has now been detained under the Mental Health Act after being assessed by medical professionals. https://t.co/oe03SXv5oT
— Longsight & Moss Side Police (GMP) (@GMPLongsight) November 17, 2024
“We have launched a murder investigation, and detectives from our Major Incident Team continue to work diligently conducting CCTV trawls and speaking to witnesses to find out what has happened to the victims,” explained Chief Superintendent David Meeney, who is the District Commander for the City of Manchester division.
“We swiftly made an arrest and we are not looking for anyone else in relation to this.
“We understand the shockwaves that this devastating news will have caused in the local community and further afield across Greater Manchester.
“We have placed a number of local neighbourhood officers in the area to conduct visible patrols to reassure the community. If you have any concerns, please speak to them, they are there to lend a listening ear.
“I’d like to thank the local community who have all really pulled together and cooperated with our enquiries.”
Chief Superintendent Meeney asked that anyone who has information that may be able to assist enquiries to get in touch police, adding: “Please don’t assume that we know already, any small piece of information may be vital for our Major Incident Team detectives to find out what happened.”
Anyone with any information should contact GMP on 101 quoting 553 of 17/11/24.
Emily Sergeant -
13th December 2023 
