COUNCILLORS in Farnworth and Kearsley is asking the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to stop and rethink the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone charges.

Paul Sanders, councillor for Farnworth and Kearsley First Party said the party supports the push for cleaner air but the Clean Air Zone is ‘unfairly hitting hardworking residents and businesses.’

Cllr Sanders said: “We support the push for cleaner air but we are concerned that assurances given to councillors at a briefing last year are not being met.

“Financial packages for affected vehicle owners are not sufficient, support and communication is extremely lacking and the time left for affected vehicle owners to upgrade or source compliant vehicle, a situation made all the worse by Covid's impact, is inadequate.

“The Clean Air Zone in its current form is unfairly hitting fellow hard-working residents and businesses whose households and pockets are already financially stretched.

“The Greater Manchester Combined Authority needs to stop and rethink this scheme now.

“Local councillors do not get a say or vote on this Clean Air Zone scheme now and Farnworth and Kearsley First believes that we should, in order to fairly represent our residents.”

In recent weeks, people across the borough have been pushing against the scheme with taxi drivers holding protests and more than 14,000 people signing a petition to stop the charges.

Bolton West MP Chris Green has also voiced his opposition, saying he believes it will be negative for business.

Within the Clean Air Zone scheme, automatic number plate recognition cameras will be used enforce any non-payment of daily charges.

Charges will vary from £7.50 to £60 daily for non compliant HGVs, buses, coaches, vans, mini-buses, taxes and certain categories of motorhomes, but private cars, motorbikes and mopeds won’t be affected.

Charges are set to be brought in from May, staggered until June 2023 but failure to pay the charge will result in a £120 fine plus the daily charge.