Andy Burnham admitted he was not forced by the government to introduce Clean Air Zone charges during a heated exchange with a caller on the radio. The Greater Manchester mayor claimed the government 'effectively' forced the city-region to charge drivers of the most polluting commercial vehicles.
The Clean Air Zone, which was set to come into force last month, is currently under review with local leaders now calling for all charges to be scrapped. It comes after a public backlash led to the government delaying the deadline by which councils must bring pollution levels below legal limits by two years.
A new proposal, which would offer owners of buses, lorries and taxis funding to upgrade their vehicles, is set to be submitted to the government tomorrow (July 1). Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester this morning (June 30), Mr Burnham was asked why he didn't suggest such a scheme with no charges in the first place.
