Greater Manchester congestion charge - disguised as clean air improvements

tonyeccles

Is everyone in Greater Manchester aware of the changes due in 2022 regarding DAILY charging for people with vans and other "commercial" vehicles? I bet not.
You need to check out what you could be stung for, as even motorhomes and VW-type campers could soon have to pay upwards of £10 PER DAY - and not just in Manchester, but ANYWHERE IN GREATER MANCHESTER!!
Burnham has been making the roads worse, finally sneaking through a congestion charge.

daveyjp

All areas introducing a congestion charge have had to do so as a direct result of a Ministerial Direction.

Basically "do something to clean up your air or there will be consequences" and whatever you propose must be agreed by Westminster, so your ire is aimed at the wrong target.

In Manchester Burnham didn't have much choice, just as Street didn't have a choice in Birmingham.

Some reading for you.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/863730/clean-air-zone-framework-feb2020.pdf

sevenhills

daveyjp said:

All areas introducing a congestion charge have had to do so as a direct result of a Ministerial Direction.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/863730/clean-air-zone-framework-feb2020.pdf

But that was in February 2020, we had COVID and the lockdown resulting in fewer vehicles on the road.

The clean air zone in Leeds got cancelled. Whether it will return, I don't know.

tonyeccles

With Burnham I doubt it will be cancelled.

Goudy

It's not a congestion charge but a clean air zone where non compliant vehicles (mainly older Vans, Buses, Lorries, Taxis and Mini Cabs) pay a daily charge.
They could as with London, add a congestion element on top emission charge that would effect every vehicle if they wanted in future (after all, the infostructure to capture vehicle details will be in place) or more likely start charging private vehicles with similar emissions as well.

But writing that, Manchester did plan on introducing a full congestion charge within the M60 in 2008.
It went to a public referendum which needed the support of 8 of the 10 local councils involved, all of them voted against it with around 80% of the total vote.

Burnham did resisted another clean air zone plan back in 2017.
As Daveyjp suggests, Burnham doesn't really have a say in it. It was pointed out to him the legal responsibilty isn't the Mayors, it's the local councils.

tonyeccles

Sadly, the people most affected by it will be those too poor to have their vehicles adapted or, if they cannot be adapted, unable to afford newer vehicles.
And it makes no sense when many of the so-called "non-compliant" are less polluting than many of the cars, or even have the same engines!

motorguy

tonyeccles said:

Sadly, the people most affected by it will be those too poor to have their vehicles adapted or, if they cannot be adapted, unable to afford newer vehicles.
And it makes no sense when many of the so-called "non-compliant" are less polluting than many of the cars, or even have the same engines!

?

"Private cars, motorbikes and mopeds won’t be affected."

https://cleanairgm.com/clean-air-zone/

And for small businesses, it looks like there will be funding assistance

https://cleanairgm.com/clean-air-zone/#checker

tonyeccles

I know it doesn't affect cars, but it does affect those with small vans who have SMALLER, CLEANER engines than cars.
The army of white van men who kept the country going through the lockdowns WILL be affected. Many of the vans cannot be adapted - even those just a few years old.
And the funding assistance is VERY limited.
Unlucky for those who can only afford "staycations" and have got cheap VW-type camper conversions.

motorguy

tonyeccles said:

I know it doesn't affect cars, but it does affect those with small vans who have SMALLER, CLEANER engines than cars.
The army of white van men who kept the country going through the lockdowns WILL be affected. Many of the vans cannot be adapted - even those just a few years old.
And the funding assistance is VERY limited.
Unlucky for those who can only afford "staycations" and have got cheap VW-type camper conversions.

Well like many then they'll have to factor in the charge to their daily rate, or add it specifically on.

Taxi drivers add it on if they're going in to a congestion zone.  

Its not like people wont know about the charge and understand why it has to be factored in.

Yes, we could go down the whataboutisms to the 10th degree here but as has always been the case, businesses will have to adapt.

bengalknights

If its anything like the birmingham one, those living or working in the area that earn less than a set amount (36k for Brum) will be given a exemption pass to use.

tonyeccles

I have not seen anything about an exemption based on income in GM. Has anyone else?