Labour MPs from across Greater Manchester have again written to the government to urge ministers to meet with Andy Burnham to iron out issues over the proposed Clean Air Zone (CAZ).
In an open letter from Stockport MP Navendu Mishra, co-signed by 14 of his Labour colleagues from the region, he asked government officials to meet with the mayor and the leaders of the area’s 10 councils to ‘bring about changes to make the scheme fair for everyone’.
The first few weeks of 2022 in Manchester’s political scene have been dominated by complaints over the CAZ, which would see some commercial vehicles charged daily to enter the zone, which covers Greater Manchester.
READ MORE: Will I have to pay the new Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone charge coming into force this year?
Many say the charge will only add to the rising cost of living crisis.
Now, after officials voted to ‘pause’ the next phase of funding to help with upgrading vehicles — in order to ‘fundamentally review’ the CAZ — MPs have written to the government.
Mr Mishra’s letter said: “Whilst we fully support measures to improve air quality, we appreciate that the introduction of the CAZ presents a major challenge for many individuals and businesses, particularly small businesses and small traders.
“Since the plan was agreed in July 2021, evidence suggests that the cost of upgrading a vehicle has risen by as much as 60 percent because of inflation and supply chain issues. This is likely to impact on the ability of individuals and businesses to upgrade their vehicles and we have concerns about whether the agreed level of funding is now sufficient.
"As you know, under the terms of the legal direction placed on the 10 Greater Manchester local authorities by the government, none of the local authorities can amend, revoke, or suspend their CAZ without the prior written permission from the secretary of state.
"However, we have all been contacted by numerous constituents who have documented their financial anxiety because of the implications of the CAZ and have asked for elements of the scheme to be reconsidered.
"We would therefore urge you to engage in discussions with Mayor Andy Burnham and the leaders of the 10 local authorities as a matter of urgency to bring about changes to make the scheme fair for everyone.”
Previously, the Mayor has said he was open to ‘any solution’ that cut emissions without hitting jobs.
