Clean Air Now regrets lost opportunities for Greater Manchester |
2008-12-12 |
The Clean Air Now coalition today expressed regret that Greater Manchester has rejected the Transport Innovation Fund proposals and the £3 billion package of measures that would have helped the City region tackle air pollution, climate change and congestion, and make the city a better place to live, work and do business. In the coming years Greater Manchester needs to tackle a number of key problems: Congestion: Greater Manchester is the most congested city in the UK outside London, and the proposals would have reduced traffic levels by up to 15 per cent. Climate change: traffic is responsible for over a fifth of UK emissions of carbon dioxide, the main climate change gas. The proposals would have helped cut emissions by giving Greater Manchester a top-class public transport system and would have improved facilities for cycling and walking. Asthma: The North-West has the highest emergency admissions in the UK and parts of Greater Manchester have some of the highest emergency admissions for children in England. For example Oldham has admissions more than twice the national average and Manchester has admissions 68 per cent above the national average. Social exclusion: the TIF measures would have improved access to services and jobs for those without a car - a third of households across Manchester and up to 60 per cent in the most deprived areas. Dave Coleman, Clean Air Now spokesperson said "The No campaign has run an effective scare campaign but has shown a total lack of leadership on how Greater Manchester will tackle the problems of congestion, climate changing emissions and poor air quality. We hope the No campaign will now devote as much time and resources to finding alternative solutions and investment to tackle these issues." |
notes to editors |
Clean Air Now is a coalition campaigning for a sustainable transport system that delivers: clean air, safe streets and a better quality of life for the people of Greater Manchester, now and in the future. It is made up of a range of public interest, environmental and transport groups from across Greater Manchester. It supported the Greater Manchester bid into the Transport Innovation Fund and the proposed congestion charge for the City. |
contacts |
Dave Coleman, 07801 495781 |