Manchester’s long-paused CAZ has finally been scrapped by Government today. The scheme, which has was paused with days to run before it went live and referred back to Westminster in 2022, planned to charge upto £60 a day for lorries and buses in the entire GM area except motorways. The “success of the Bee Network” apparently persuaded Gov that we can actually do work.
Instead, Mayor B’s investment-led scheme will see £51m be ploughed into 40 EV and 77 low emission buses for the Bee Network, along side traffic calming measures and £22m for ‘administrative costs’! More cash juggling!
£8m will be slung at taxi drivers to upgrade their taxis to more cleaner models, but MB caveated that it will be for “GM-licensed drivers”. How busy will the local authorities licensing offices find themselves now with Wolverhampton or Sefton-plated drivers switching to a local badge!
Local leaders have been given authorisation to cancel contracts related to signage and cameras. I wonder if GMP will take on the cameras, which have proven useful in some solving some crimes, for ANPR use.
