No vehicles should be charged in the new Clean Air Zone (CAZ), Greater Manchester leaders have agreed, as the scheme remains under review.
12.02.2022 - 16:03 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Andy Burnham faced a furious crowd as he was asked about the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone at a Mayor's Question Time event this week.
The Labour mayor answered questions from the public at the session which turned into a shouting match on Thursday (February 10) at UA92 in Trafford.
The controversial Clean Air Zone, which was due to come into effect in May but has now been delayed, dominated the event, raising tensions early on.
READ MORE:'What is going to be done now to protect our children's lungs?' - Families' fury over Clean Air Zone delay
BBC presenter Annabel Tiffin lost control of the crowd as members of the public started arguing amongst themselves during the heated discussion.
The scheme was set to charge commercial vehicles which are not compliant with air quality standards every time they drive on the city-region's roads.
But the government agreed to postpone the deadline by which Greater Manchester's councils must bring air pollution down to legal limits to 2026.
A 'substantially different' scheme is now expected to be revealed by July – and some people have called for the mayor to hold a referendum on the new plans.
One member of the public who was highly critical of the Clean Air Zone at the event on Thursday told Burnham that the whole scheme is 'anti-democratic'.
He said: "If you don't hold a referendum, you have no right to be in office."
Burnham was accused of 'destroying people's livelihoods' and asked how charging businesses would help them to be able to afford cleaner vehicles.
He was also asked why he proposed a Clean Air Zone covering the whole of Greater Manchester and told he must accept he 'got it wrong and change it'.
Another person claimed Greater Manchester will soon become compliant
No vehicles should be charged in the new Clean Air Zone (CAZ), Greater Manchester leaders have agreed, as the scheme remains under review.
Boris Johnson has branded Greater Manchester's original Clean Air Zone (CAZ) proposal a "thoughtless" plan that would have "damaged business".
Manchester is to suspend a 'friendship agreement' with St Petersburg following the Russian invasion of Ukraine it has been confirmed.
Andy Burham has slammed 'frankly disgraceful' claims made about his wife in a lengthy and detailed 'personal' statement issued regarding Clean Air Zone plans.
The towns in Greater Manchester have always held a fierce pride in their own sense of identity and community.
Greater Manchester residents will face a 7.1 pc increase in part of their council tax bill from April as leaders approve spending plans for the next financial year.
Lisa Nandy has slammed the government's levelling up strategy, likening it to a feudal system in which the north has to go 'cap in hand to a group of masters' in Westminster 'who determine what happens in our own lives and our community'.
Johnny Marr says that The Smiths “never fell out over politics,” but that they “probably would now.”Marr and songwriting partner Morrissey have had a number of high-profile beefs in the press since the band split up in the late 1980s, with Morrissey most recently asking Marr to stop mentioning him when giving interviews.In a new interview with The Guardian, Marr was posed questions by fans and celebrities about The Smiths, his solo work and beyond.In the interview, Marr was asked by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham: “Did the Smiths ever fall out over football or politics?”Marr replied: “We never discussed football so that’s that. And we never fell out over politics, but we probably would now.”A subsequent question from a fan then said: “Morrissey’s recent political views have cast a shadow over the Smiths for me – reaching back into the past and tainting something that was very important to me. I’m so disappointed in him.
The killings of 16-year-old Kennie Carter, 17-year-old Alan Szelugowski, and 20-year-old Dylan Keelan, over the last three consecutive weekends has shocked the Greater Manchester community.
The introduction of Greater Manchester's Clean Air Zone is being delayed, the government has announced.
The introduction of Greater Manchester's Clean Air Zone is being delayed until July, the government has announced.
The Clean Air Zone for Greater Manchester has been delayed until July after facing heavy criticism, and we want to hear your thoughts on the developing situation.
Boris Johnson says he wants to see plans for Greater Manchester's Clean Air Zone put on hold to avoid 'stuffing up businesses'.
Nearly 150 taxis across Manchester and Salford staged a two-pronged protest against the introduction of Clean Air Zone (CAZ) charges today (Febuary 3).
Household energy bills are set to rocket this year with the energy price cap set to rise by 54% in April.
The mayor of Greater Manchester has vowed that Clean Air Zone charging will come to an end as soon as air quality reaches the required level.
Greater Manchester's Mayor is urging the government to 'take the politics out' of the Clean Air Zone and finally get the issue resolved.
Andy Burnham has been accused of 'ignoring' the public as he defended a full council tax increase for police which fewer than one in four people supported.
Boris Johnson today said that Greater Manchester's Clean Air Zone plan is 'completely unworkable'.
Wigan MP Lisa Nandy has blasted the government's plan to 'level up' the country, saying it "does nothing" to address the issues faced by northern towns and cities.