New reports have suggested that the Greater Manchester public are to be consulted on the latest Clean Air Zone (CAZ) proposals – but this won’t be done any time soon.
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, following huge backlash and after 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.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (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.
But ministers are reportedly yet to respond to this latest plan.
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)
The closest thing to a public response from the government on the plan was when environment secretary George Eustice said he believed there was “little robust evidence” that it will work effectively.
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Mr Eustace suggested that taxis, vans, buses, and lorries should still be charged in the city centre.
It’s now being reported that, ahead GMCA’s plan for a non-charging CAZ is to be formally-submitted to the government in its final form following a meeting on 16 August, ‘targeted engagement’ is currently taking place on the proposal and an online survey for some motorists is set to launch in a couple of weeks – but this will not go out to everyone.
ITV Granada reports that transport bosses have confirmed the wider public will not be able to have their say on the new proposals until early 2023.
🗣️ “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
This has already been met with criticism from industry leaders and campaign groups.
Prominently addressing the fact the public will not be consulted on plans until 2023, spokesperson for RethinkGM – a campaign group set up in opposition to the Greater Manchester Clear Air Zone – said: “It is extremely disappointing that leadership of Greater Manchester continue to ignore the public and residents of the region once again, by leaving public consultation on any CAZ scheme until early 2023.
“With a national cost of living crisis currently under way and residents now choosing between eating, heating and survival, GMCA still fail in their duty to residents and maintain their ill-advised attempt to impose further unnecessary limitations on livelihoods.
“It is quite clear that this scheme now needs scrapping in full and consideration given to the poor, low paid, business and those suffering above all else.”
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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Chorlton widower flooded with kindness after sending a letter to neighbours
Daisy Jackson
A pensioner in Chorlton has been flooded with kind messages after sending a heartwarmingly honest letter to his neighbours.
David Whitehead, 75, posted a letter to other homes on his street asking if they ‘might allow’ him to meet their dogs, writing that he ‘very much misses canine contact’.
David shared in his letter that he and his late wife had rescue dogs when they lived in Northern Ireland.
But since moving to Chorlton and into rented accommodation, he’s no longer allowed to have pets.
Since the widower’s touching appeal was shared in a local Facebook community group, he’s been flooded with kind offers of companionship – both human and four-legged.
One person shared that he has already ‘met five dogs in four days’, along with a photo of David holding two small dogs in a coffee shop.
David’s letter reads: “Do excuse this unsolicited letter from a well-meaning neighbour.
“Last month I came to live at Acres Rd. Because my house is rented I am prohibited from keeping a dog (or indeed any kind of pet). Which saddens me. In an earlier life – in County Down, Northern Ireland – my late wife and I homed a sequence of rescue-dogs, and I very much miss canine contact.
“I am writing to ask, therefore, whether you have a dog or dogs yourself and, if you do, whether you might allow me to meet him/her/them.
“Beyond that, occasionally joining you on a walk (not-too-strenuous: I am 75!) would mean a lot to me.
Chorlton widower flooded with kindness after sending a letter to neighbours. Credit: Facebook, Rory Michael
“Again: my apologies if you find this approach intrusive; it is certainly not meant to be. If you don’t, please consider texting me so that we can discuss how to proceed.
“Thank you and best wishes, (Prof) David Whitehead.”
One neighbour then shared the following update: “Hello everyone! David wanted to thank everyone for their kind comments and messages, he’s now met 5 dogs in 4 days including my own dogs.
“David was the loveliest coffee shop companion and if anyone with a dog wants to reach out to him I can vouch for him not being an internet weirdo.”
GMP detective jailed after sexually assaulting another police officer while on duty
Emily Sergeant
A police detective has been jailed after sexually assaulting another office and staff member while on duty.
Detective Sergeant Richard Mills, from Rochdale, was found guilty by jury verdict of two counts of sexual assault in December of last year, with the two counts in relation to incidents of forceful sexual touching in 2016 and 2020 while he was based in Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Oldham district, and then in the Crime Coordination Unit at Nexus House.
The 42-year-old was said to have been brought to justice for his “abhorrent behaviour towards his colleagues” after they bravely came forward and supported prosecutions during his trial at Liverpool Crown Court last week.
GMP says Mills first came onto the force’s internal investigation team’s radar in 2016 following a report from a member of staff.
Detectives began investigating allegations of sexual assault and gross misconduct, and DS Mills subsequently relocated from working in Chadderton Police Station to the Crime Coordination Unit in Nexus House.
But then, in March 2023, DS Mills made inappropriate comments of a sexual nature in an open working environment within the earshot of several colleagues, which again, sparked numerous complaints and eventually gained the attention of GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate.
#JAILED | DS Richard Mills starts an 18-month jail term today after he was found guilty of sexual offences.
He abused his position of trust and authority within GMP and we are appealing for Mills to lose his right to a police pension.
Amid this offence, it was then that another police officer came forward to disclose DS Mills had sexually assaulted her in 2020.
In both cases, DS Mills was said to have grabbed his co-worker’s hand and forced them to touch his genitals over his trousers.
Mills was sentenced to 18 months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court last Friday (7 February), and has also been placed on the sex offender registry for ten years.
Now that criminal proceedings have concluded, gross misconduct proceedings will take place.
“DS Mills gravely abused his position of trust and authority within the force when he assaulted his female colleagues for his own perverse gratification,” commented Detective Superintendent David Jones, from GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate, following the sentencing.
“It was through their brave disclosure that we built a strong prosecution case.
Detective Superintendent Jones said Mills is “unfit to serve the public” and confirmed that he has been barred from policing.