The Prime Minister has ignored calls to scrap all Clean Air Zone charges in Greater Manchester as he responded to a letter from leaders sent eight weeks ago. Mayor Andy Burnham wrote to Boris Johnson on March 3 saying that the Labour leaders of the city-region want a non-charging scheme instead – and Bolton's Conservative leader Martyn Cox also supported the suggestion.
It came after the controversial scheme which was set to start charging some commercial vehicles which exceed air quality standards in May was paused. In his letter, Mr Burnham said the delay means air quality compliance can be achieved without charges, but by offering funding to upgrade vehicles instead.
This followed comments by the Prime Minister in Parliament in which he described the Clean Air Zone as 'thoughtless' and said it should be scrapped. However, responding to the mayor's letter eight weeks later, Mr Johnson did not address the Greater Manchester leaders' calls for a non-charging scheme.
