The Clean Air Zone in Greater Manchester has been scrapped, and over 1,300 signs will be removed after the government approved an alternative plan involving no charges for polluting vehicles. The decision brings an end to a three-year saga, with local leaders pushing for an 'investment-led' approach focusing on vehicle upgrades, traffic reduction, and cleaner buses. While the signs will come down, 407 ANPR cameras will remain operational and be handed over to Greater Manchester Police.
Greater Manchester has been given the green light to remove over 1,300 Clean Air Zone signs that were put up before the controversial scheme was put on hold. The government's decision to approve a new plan involving no charges for polluting vehicles brings an end to a three-year saga. Local leaders had campaigned for an 'investment-led' approach, which includes grants to upgrade vehicles, traffic reduction measures around the city centre, and cleaner buses on the road.
They argue that this will lead to quicker air quality improvements. \£86 million of funding previously earmarked for the Clean Air Zone will now be redirected to support these alternative measures. This includes £51.1 million for zero-emission and cleaner diesel buses and £8 million for cleaner taxis. However, up to £21.9 million is still set to be spent on administering, delivering, monitoring, and other associated costs of the scheme. This comes after nearly £100 million was already spent on the Clean Air Zone as of last year, including contracts for signs and over 400 cameras. \Local leaders have been informed they can review and cancel contracts related to the Clean Air Zone. This means the 1,309 signs installed for the previous scheme, now covered by 'under review' stickers, can be removed. Transport bosses are currently discussing the possibility of repurposing these signs rather than removing them entirely. Meanwhile, the 407 Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras installed for the scheme are expected to remain operational and be transferred to Greater Manchester Police. Police chiefs have already expressed their interest in taking control of the cameras, which could happen once a consultation on their future use is completed. The M.E.N. previously reported that maintaining the cameras cost £375,000 per month. These ongoing costs were intended to be covered by revenue generated from the charges, but the government has agreed to absorb all of the expenses
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