High Peak MP Robert Largan has held an emergency meeting with the Environment Secretary to discuss the controversial Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone. 

Under the proposals, HGVs, taxis, coaches, and light goods vehicles that have a Euro 5 engine, or earlier, not registered within the zone will have to pay a daily charge to travel into Greater Manchester. 

During the meeting, Mr Largan put the case to George Eustice, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for a pause on the implementation of the Clean Air Zone – for vehicles registered both inside and outside of Greater Manchester. 

Mr Largan said: “The Mayor of Greater Manchester (Andy Burnham) is saying he wants to pause his plans for vehicles inside Greater Manchester but continue with introducing daily charges for businesses based outside of Greater Manchester in places like High Peak. 

“At the same time, he is excluding businesses outside of Greater Manchester from the financial support available. 

“This is completely nonsensical! It also puts a huge number of jobs at risk across the region. 

“I have held emergency meetings with Ministers to discuss the situation, and I warmly welcome the cross-party support for my campaign to extend the eligibility criteria to help High Peak businesses. 

“I am now calling on the Mayor for a proper pause of the Clean Air Zone for vehicles both inside and outside Greater Manchester.” 

From May, HGVs registered outside of Greater Manchester and which have a Euro 5 standard engine or earlier will be subject to a daily charge of £60 when travelling in or through the region. 

For coaches the daily charge is £60, taxis and private hire vehicles £7.50 and light goods vehicles £10. 

SIGNS OF THE TIMES: Signs are going up around the area ready for the introduction of the Clean Air Zone

A cross-party campaign is calling for support for local businesses hit by the costs of the forthcoming Clean Air Zone, with support from MPs across the region and the Leader of High Peak Borough Council, Cllr Anthony McKeown. 

Mr Largan has written to Andy Burnham together with MPs calling for a change to the eligibility criteria for the Clean Air Fund and ensure a level playing field for business. 

In a separate letter to the Mayor, signed by the Leader of High Peak Borough Council, Cllr Anthony McKeown, the local MP raises concerns about the impact of the Clean Air Zone on businesses based in High Peak. 

In particular, the pair have raised concerns about the impact on local bus companies operating between High Peak and Greater Manchester.

Meanwhile, Mr Burnham also had a "constructive meeting" of his own with the Environment Secretary on Wednesday (26 January) following the decision of Greater Manchester councils to refer to the current Clean Air Zone back to the government. 

A spokesperson for the Mayor added: "The Mayor relayed his view, and that of the ten council leaders, that major changes are needed to the scheme to protect businesses and jobs in light of the new emerging evidence about problems in the vehicle market. 

"The Secretary of State agreed to meet again with the Mayor in the next 7-10 days to agree a way forward." 

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