The Mancunian Way: Clean air zone back on track

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Hello,

You’ll have seen the ‘under review’ stickers on clean air zone signs across the region. Some 1,300 of them were hastily applied after Andy Burnham^[2] ’pressed pause’ on the plans in February last year.

It would have seen drivers of vans, taxis, buses and lorries that didn’t meet emission standards charged between £7.50 and £60 a day. The Mayor initially supported the idea – and was elected with a huge majority on a manifesto which included introducing CAZ.

Clean Air Zone signs in Chadderton (Image: Adam Vaughan)

But after a backlash from motoring groups, business and sections of the public, he changed his mind, describing CAZ as a ‘pre-pandemic solution for a post-pandemic world’ whilst arguing charging drivers was ‘not morally defensible’. Since then there’s been stalemate as the region’s leaders argued with government about what happens next.

In the meantime there are roads in all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester where the air quality is so bad it’s illegal^[3]. Well today we found out what is going to replace CAZ.

The headline news is all charges will be scrapped – if bosses in our region get their way. Instead, £86m will be spent on measures to reduce emission, including grants for clean taxis, more electrician buses and more electric charging points and upgrades to manage traffic flow traffic flow on some of the busiest roads in Manchester and Salford^[4], including Regent Road and Quay Street.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority say the moves, announced at a press conference this morning, will bring air quality within legal limits by 2025. By contrast, GMCA says a charging zone in the centre of Manchester and Salford would not meet those targets until the following year.

The proposals will now need to be signed off by the government. There’s lots more detail on today’s announcement in this piece by Ethan Davies and Jo Timan^[5].

‘I’m broken’

Dalloul al-Neder at his south Manchester home (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

Sitting in a shared bedroom at his south Manchester flat, Dalloul al-Neder sobs as he reveals the extent of his unthinkable loss. Five members of his family are dead following bombing in Gaza last weekend.

In a gut-wrenching interview with Chris Slater, the Burnage takeaway owner told how his mum, brother, pregnant sister-in-law and two nieces have been killed amid the Israel-Gaza conflict. Dalloul, who runs the Royal Grill House on Kingsway, now faces a desperate wait for news about his injured wife and six-month-old daughter.

“Imagine as a father, or as a parent, and you couldn’t speak with your family because of something you are not related to and you can’t even find out how they are doing,” he said. Speaking about his mother, Dalloul added: “The last time I spoke with my mum, she said ‘any single second you could hear bad news about us… just be patient’.

“My family have been ripped from my soul. I have lost hope in my own life since I lost my family, especially my mum. She was the power in my life. When I feel tired, I just want to talk with her. I love life more when I hear her voice. Now I’ve lost this voice.” Read the full interview here…^[6]

Parking fine

Tyson Fury

As car parking fines go it’s a pretty hefty one. World heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury and two of his brothers must pay nearly £100,000 after a judge ruled they were liable for unpaid business rates relating to a Manchester Airport^[7] parking scheme.

The fighter and siblings Shane and John were taken to court for non-payment of business rates since April 2021 at a site they owned which is ‘a stone’s throw away’ from the airport. None of the brothers were in court, but their dad – and Fury’s trainer – John Fury did give evidence.

Simon Rogan’s three Michelin-starred L’Enclume in Cumbria took the top spot in the annual guide. All three join a strong roster of North West-based restaurants in the poll, which is in its 33rd year and has become a go-to for authoritative dining suggestions. More here^[9]

Up the junction

The Junction in Hulme as it stands today (Image: Jonathan Kelly)

The Junction Hotel has stood on the corner of Old Birley Street in Hulme^[10] for almost 180 years. As the area around it underwent several dramatic transformations over the decades the Victorian boozer remained one of the few constants.

But change has finally caught up with the old pub. Closed since 2016, developers now plan to bring it back to life as a ‘community hub’. See the plans here^[11]

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Weather etc

Thursday: Light rain changing to sunny spells by lunchtime. 9C

Roadworks: The A6 Blackrod By-Pass is closed in both directions due to gas main work between Blackrod Brow and Station Road.

Manchester headlines

M61 death: A man in his 40s has died after being hit by a truck on the M61 motorway near Bolton. Emergency services were called to the scene at around 10pm last night.

Stabbing: A man was hospitalised after a stabbing in broad daylight in Wythenshawe^[17]. Cops scrambled to Royalthorn Road at 12.20pm on Tuesday, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police^[18] said.

Worth a read

Carlos Conde Garzon is delivery driver for Humans MCR (Image: Manchester Evening News)

Community reporter Maisie Lawton spent a day on the road with foodbank Humans MCR as they delivered parcels across the city. The charity uses unmarked vans – an idea founder Lewey Hellewell came up with after his experience of using foodbanks. It’s just one of the many reasons the M.E.N. has chosen to support them for our Christmas appeal. You can read Maisie’s piece and learn how to donate to the Christmas appeal here^[19][20]

References

1. ^{^} right here (mancunianway.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Andy Burnham (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
3. ^{^} the air quality is so bad it’s illegal (cleanairgm.com)
4. ^{^} Salford (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
5. ^{^} in this piece by Ethan Davies and Jo Timan (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
6. ^{^} Read the full interview here… (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
7. ^{^} Manchester Airport (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
8. ^{^}