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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Travel
Adam Maidment

Hundreds of taxi drivers to protest in Salford and city centre over Clean Air Zone plans

Hundreds of taxi drivers are expected to take part in another protest against the plans for a Clean Air Zone in Greater Manchester.

More than 400 drivers are set to make their way from Salford to Manchester city centre for the demonstration on Thursday morning (February 3).

The protest will begin at Salford City Roosters Rugby League Club on Hallsworth Road, Eccles, at around 10.30am before making its way through Salford via The Quays, Trafford Road,and Chapel Street.

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The protest is set to end in Manchester city centre at around 1.30pm.

Salford council has warned the protest will cause severe travel delays, advising motorists to avoid the area if possible.

Stagecoach has advised the protest will cause disruption to the 34, 34A, 38 and 50 bus routes.

Posting on Twitter, Stagecoach wrote: “Routes 34/34A/38/50. Delays will be very likely tomorrow due to a protest taking place around #Salford.

“Please allow extra time for your journey.”

Taxi drivers in Bolton protesting against the Clean Air Zone charge (STEVE ALLEN)

The protest follows similar demonstrations across Greater Manchester in recent weeks.

Under the plans, which have since been criticised by the Prime Minister, some commercial vehicles will be charged daily to enter the designated zone.

Swan Minicabs, which operates in Salford, has already advised customers to expect delays on Thursday.

A post on Facebook by the operator said: “We will have some drivers on but it may be a slightly longer wait.

“Please accept our apologies for this we don’t want this to impact on our customers but if we don’t act now we will be charged £7.50 a day to drive around Manchester.

“If this charge was just in the city centre we could partially agree but this charge covers every road in all areas: Weaste, Salford, Winton, Monton, Eccles, Patricroft, Peelgreen, Brookhouse, Irlam and many many more.”

It added: “Whilst we agree that pollution needs dealing with by crippling the small self employed businesses who can’t afford to update their vehicles but also can’t afford to pay to drive their current vehicle is not the way to do it.

“So please accept our apologies if this affects you we will do our best to minimise disruption to our service.”

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