Andy Burnham says there will never be a congestion charge in Greater Manchester while he is mayor - but says he remains committed to the push to net zero.
Manchester's metro mayor appeared on the latest segment of ‘In the Hotseat’ on BBC Radio Manchester, where the majority of questions from listeners related to the latest plans for a new model of Greater Manchester's Clean Air Zone (CAZ). The new plan would eradicate charges for any vehicle driving in the zone.
The original proposals were scrapped almost two years ago following a public backlash, and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has now given another update following months of delays.
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Previously, vans, taxis, buses and coaches that were not compliant with emission regulations would be charged daily rates for driving through the clean air zones. New plans would see that scrapped, with a request for £86.7m government investment in GM transport. This money would go towards paying for zero-emission electric buses, grants for cleaner taxis, and measures to manage traffic flow on the busier roads in the centre of Manchester and Salford.
Speaking to listeners alongside radio host Mike Sweeney, Mr Burnham said a policy that left people out of pocket could be counter-productive.
He told listeners: “I don’t think we’ll get working class people behind the drive to net zero if it’s about tax, charges, bans on things – basically making their lives suffer more. The only way we can do it is to give people incentives to do the right thing.
“Give them heat pumps for their homes or lower price public transport.”
Mr Burnham then said he would never introduce charges for vehicles whilst he was mayor.
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Talking about the change of heart on CAZ, he added: “I did think about it really carefully, it wasn’t just a knee jerk reaction. All of our health does suffer if we’re breathing in very polluted air, but at the same time you’ve got to think about mental health alongside physical health.
“If a policy had been introduced where people on the lowest incomes felt like that might move them from viability to bankruptcy, that would have a health impact.”
Discussing the camera surveillance and signage already for CAZ before the original plan was scrapped, Mr Burnham explained it still has uses. He said the cameras in particular have already played a vital role in helping the police solve serious crimes, and said he would like to see Greater Manchester Police given ‘real-time access’ to the cameras in order to aid live cases.
“There is no way on God’s green earth I am going to say, ‘let’s not give GMP access to that information’,” Mr Burnham told listeners.
The new plan is expected to go before the Greater Manchester Air Quality Administration Committee on December 20, where it is recommended for approval. After that, Mr Burnham’s new plan will be taken to Westminster where he hopes it will get government support.