Greater Manchester’s Mayoral candidate Andy Burnham has pledged to make tackling poor air quality caused by road traffic a priority if elected in May.

 

The Labour MP for nearby Leigh says that Greater Manchester has been in breach of its legal levels for nitrogen dioxide every year since 2011.

 

He has written to the Prime Minister demanding that Manchester's new Mayor be given urgent support to improve air quality, with powers to introduce a Clean Air Zone to stop the most polluting vehicles entering the city.

 

Andy Burnham is disappointed that Manchester was left off a list of seven UK cities where such zones are proposed.

 

He says that if elected Mayor he will focus on targeting heavy goods vehicles, mandate for cleaner buses and invest in new cycle lanes.

 

The candidate is also proposing a revision of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework to help improve air quality by reducing road congestion and protecting green space.

 

“Polluted air is an invisible killer and Greater Manchester needs a wake-up call to what is a growing public health emergency,” Andy Burnham said. 

 

“If I am elected in May, I will immediately initiate a major new drive to clean up our filthy air. 

 

“But we also need a broader plan to reduce congestion, increase cycling and make public transport a clean, reliable and affordable alternative to the car.”

 

Environmental lawyer ClientEarth, which won a High Court case against Government last year over failure to tackle illegal air pollution in the UK, welcomed Andy Burnham’s announcement.

 

“Whoever becomes the new Mayor of Greater Manchester needs to bring in a Clean Air Zone to clean up Manchester’s toxic and illegal air in the shortest time possible,” said spokesman Simon Alcock.

 

“But the Government needs to up its game and give Greater Manchester the proper support and resources it needs. The time for excuses is over.”