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Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Zone plan has been referred back to the government for review

The plan's referral for "urgent review" comes after the leaders of all 10 Greater Manchester councils met to discuss the matter.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 21st January 2022

It has now been confirmed that Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Zone plan has been referred back to the government for review over concerns it will cause “real hardship” for some residents in the region.

It comes after all 10 Greater Manchester councils met to discuss the plan yesterday.

The idea that the plan would be referred back to the government was already on the cards after Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) issued a statement on the matter last week, with bosses explaining that there is a “fundamental concern” that certain global and national factors may “impact on the ability” of local businesses and individuals to upgrade their vehicles, and whether the current support package agreed with government of £120 million would be sufficient.

The authority said that “emerging evidence” from businesses and trade has highlighted significant challenges related to supply chain issues and inflation.

They also say that more money is needed for taxis, vans, minibuses, and coaches.

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Read more: Leaders in Greater Manchester ask the government for an ‘urgent review’ of the Clean Air Zone

In the statement, Eamonn Boylan – the Chief Executive of GMCA – said that they would be seeking approval from the secretary of state for an “urgent” review into the launch of the Clean Air Zone to “identify how a revised policy can be agreed to deal with the supply issues and local businesses’ ability to comply with the plan”.

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GMCA believes more work is needed to understand whether this could create significant financial hardship for commercial vehicle users.

Mayor Andy Burnham said he is “pleased” that the councils voted for the plan’s referral.

Taking to Twitter to share the news and comment on the referral confirmation, Mr Burnham said: “I am pleased that Greater Manchester councils have just voted to refer the Clean Air Zone back to the government [as] GM has tried in good faith to make the government’s legal direction work.

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“However, changes in the vehicle market mean it is impossible to proceed on the current basis without causing real hardship to some of our residents.

“We remain committed to tackling illegal levels of air pollution in GM as soon as possible.

“This decision opens up the space for urgent, joint discussions with the government about potential changes to make the scheme fair for everyone [and] I am listening to people’s concerns and will always stand up for GM.

“I am not the final decision-maker but will do everything I can, working with government, to get this to the right place.

“I know it’s difficult but bear with us and I will keep you posted on progress.”

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What is the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone?

In case you haven’t noticed, signs informing members of the public that the controversial scheme will begin to take effect from 30 May 2022 have been going up across the region over the last couple of months, with the roadside cameras to enforce the new policy across said to be being installed later on this year.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will be used enforce any non-payment of daily charges that will come with the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone.

The Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone is said to be “designed to protect everyone’s health by bringing harmful nitrogen dioxide air pollution at the roadside within legal limits as soon as possible.”

While private cars, motorbikes, and mopeds won’t be affected, some vehicles that do not meet emissions standards – known as ‘non-compliant vehicles’ – will be charged to drive in the Clean Air Zone, with charges ranging from £7.50 for taxis and private hire vehicles, and £10 for vans and minibuses, all the way through to £60 for buses, coaches, and HGVs.

Daily charges will also occur for campervans and motorhomes too, depending on the tax class of the vehicle.

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Leaders in Greater Manchester ask the government for an ‘urgent review’ of the Clean Air Zone, The Manc
The Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone is said to be “designed to protect everyone’s health” / Credit: Twitter (@FSBManchester)

As much of the region has started to become more aware of the scheme since signs have gone up, and have begun to learn of the charges involved, this has thus prompted critique and generated widespread conversation on how local businesses will be affected.

It has also resulted in a petition being set up in opposition to the scheme, which has since seen over 38,000 people and counting put their names to it and Mayor Andy Burnham respond.

The petition is aiming to “stop [the scheme] in its tracks”.

“Can you remember being asked by [Andy Burnham] or anyone in Greater Manchester if you wanted this? We were not. What sort of democracy is that? We need to stop this in its tracks,” the person who set up the petition exclaimed.

Read more: Andy Burnham responds after petition against Clean Air Zone charge gets over 16,000 signatures

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Some environmentalists, however, believe the scheme does not go far enough.

You can find out more about the Clean Air Zone charges for different vehicles, and the financial support on offer here.

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

News

Body of woman found in River Mersey last year finally identified after ‘extensive’ investigation

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Laura Stanley

The body of woman who was found in the River Mersey last year has finally been identified.

Following what has been described as an ‘extensive investigation’ by Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Major Incident Team to determine the identity of the body, which was sadly discovered in the river adjacent to Chorlton Water Park on 21 March 2024, the family of the victim has now been informed and supported by specialist officers.

The victim has been formally named as 38-year-old Laura Stanley, who was originally from Derbyshire but was living in Stockport. 

After the body was discovered, and ‘exhaustive and determined’ investigation by GMP officers began to identify here, including detailed checks of both national and international databases.

Police release facial reconstruction image of mystery woman whose body was found in River Mersey

The Major Incident Team (MIT) also closely worked in collaboration with specialist forensic service providers to create an anthropological profile, which eventually culminated in the creation of a facial reconstruction image.

Following several media appeals, a relative of Laura contacted officers and then a DNA match was confirmed through a familial link.

“Laura was a kind and gentle person with a great sense of fun and adventure,” Laura’s family said in a heartbreaking tribute to her.

“She was generous, thoughtful, caring and always keen to volunteer within the community. Laura was a proud and loving mum and she will be greatly missed by her girls and all of her friends and family who loved her dearly.”

The River Mersey, across from Chorlton Water Park, where Laura’s body was discovered / Credit: Wikimedia Commons

While Laura has now been identified, police say further investigations will take place to understand her last movements, the events that led to her death, and her discovery in the river.

Additionally, as is standard practice, GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate is also reviewing a previous missing report relating to Laura in the time before the discovery of her body, which will determine prior contact relating to Laura, and whether the appropriate measures were enacted.

Anyone who knew Laura and thinks they may be able to assist with the investigation is asked to contact police by calling 101, or by using the Live Chat Service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log number 1191 of 21 March 2024.

Alternatively, you can contact the Major Incident Team Syndicate 3 directly on 0161 856 9479, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Read more:

It is currently believed that Laura was last seen around January 2024.

Featured Image – GMP

News

More than 70,000 home buyers set to pay thousands after missing stamp duty relief deadline

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant New build houses

More than 70,000 home buyers across England are estimated to have missed the stamp duty relief deadline.

This sadly means they’ll be required to fork out thousands of pounds extra.

In case you hadn’t heard, up until yesterday (31 March 2025), anyone who was moving and had bought a home in the past was not required to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax, better-known as just stamp duty, on the portion of the property price up to £250,000.

But from today (1 April), this threshold has now fallen back to £125,000, which unfortunately means that property purchasers are facing an extra £2,500 in moving costs, on average.

While the end of the stamp duty relief will mostly affect those Greater Manchester buyers who had already previously purchased properties, first time buyers are sadly not exempt from the deadline changes too, as their current stamp duty threshold of £425,000 has now fallen back to £300,000 as of today.

Keys to a new house
Person holding the keys to a new house in their hand / Credit: Maria Ziegler (via Unsplash)

Given that the average property price for a first time buyer-type home is currently around £227,965, according to Rightmove, the new £300,000 threshold may hit those purchasing properties in more expensive areas – particularly the South East.

A third of those estimated 70,000 home buyers who have missed the deadline are thought to be first time buyers.

Leading property platform Rightmove published an analysis in February into just how much of an impact the end of the stamp duty relief would have on home buyers, all while calling on the UK Government to announce a short extension to the deadline to help people in the middle of the property purchasing process avoid potentially thousands of pounds in extra moving costs.

But despite these calls from industry leaders, there was no extension to the deadline announced in the last week’s latest Spring Statement.

Read more:

“It’s extremely disappointing that the Government has not used the Spring Statement as an opportunity to extend the impending stamp duty deadline for those currently going through the home-moving process,” commented Rightmove’s property expert Colleen Babcock.

“We estimate over 70,000 people are going to miss the deadline and complete in April instead, and a third of those are first time buyers.”

Featured Image – James Feaver (via Unsplash)

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