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Green group welcomes Andy Burnham’s commitment to tackle GM’s filthy air

news release

Responding to a commitment announced today (13 February) by Labour’s Greater Manchester mayor candidate Andy Burnham (1), to tackle illegal levels of air pollution in the city-region, Catherine Thomson from Manchester Friends of the Earth said:

“Manchester Friends of the Earth welcomes Andy Burnham’s commitment to clean up Greater Manchester’s illegal dirty air if he is elected Mayor, and also the focus on increasing cycling levels and providing better public transport.

“The call for Clean Air Zones is the right one and the Government must provide proper funding for them – but they must cover all vehicle types, including cars, and must be in place by next year.

“Clean Air Zones are key to phasing out diesel and we call on all the GM mayoral candidates to support this proposal. We also urge the candidates to join the growing number of city leaders calling on the Government to introduce a new Clean Air Act fit for the 21st Century.” (2)

ENDS

Contact: Pete Abel, Manchester Friends of the Earth. Mobile: 07951 642858

Notes for editors:

1. http://www.burnhamformayor.co.uk/airqualitygm

2.  5 UK city leaders – London, Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham and Derby – last week (10 February) called for the Government to introduce a Clean Air Act

3. London Mayor calls for diesel scrappage fund to help tackle pollution, (BBC 12 February 2017)

4. More information on Friends of the Earth’s campaign for Clean Air  and Manchester Friends of the Earth local air quality campaign.

5. Manchester Friends of the Earth is an award-winning environmental campaign group, raising awareness and lobbying for policy changes at a local, regional, national and international level. The group consists entirely of volunteers, and its campaigns are funded by membership fees and individual donations. Up-to-date information is available on the group’s website: www.manchesterfoe.org.uk . Manchester Friends of the Earth is a Licensed Local Group of Friends of the Earth, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

6. Manchester Friends of the Earth has endorsed Manchester: A Certain Future, an action plan for the city of Manchester to cut its carbon emissions by at least 41% by 2020. For more information, visit www.manchesterclimate.com

 

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