The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has responded to last night’s announcement by the GMCAs’ CEO, Eamonn Boylan, concerning the Clean Air Zone.
FSB Development Manager for Greater Manchester, Robert Downes (pictured), said: “We are pleased to see business sentiment is at last being listened to be decision makers within the GMCA, but what they have proposed amounts to precious little and doesn’t go nearly far enough.
“In one breath the GMCA acknowledges there are global supply chain issues preventing business updating their vehicles, and inadequate state funding for businesses to mitigate the costs. But in the next, they commit to ploughing ahead with charging for HGVs, buses and coaches starting, as was always planned, on May 30.
“If they understand there are supply chain issues with vehicles – and that’s all vehicles – and that the funding currently on offer they agreed to in July is inadequate, then this has to be reflected in a general pause of the wider scheme for all affected businesses. You can’t cherry pick when the stakes are so high for so many businesses. It’s totally unfair and underlines what a muddle the CAZ is at heart.
He added: “Affected businesses – and there are many thousands – want to see the whole scheme looked at again from the ground up, starting with new, up to date pollution data that’s reflective of where we are now in GM, not data from years ago, and pre-pandemic. FSB 100% agrees with that as a starting point from where this should go next.
“We urge both government ministers and the GMCA to shrug off the politics, start talking seriously about realistic alternatives to the CAZ, and ultimately do what’s right for Greater Manchester and the businesses based here."