We have just found out that Greater Manchester will start to charge for vans, campervans etc using their roads in 2023. So anyone, like us, with a campervan will pay £10 per day to take it out onto the road, unless it is a Euro 6 diesel or Euro 4 petrol, or LGV. Also applies to coaches, minibuses etc.
I imagine other cities will have similar restrictions.
So apart from the sheer inconvenience and cost for us, this will also have an effect on many campsites within the clean air zones.
Yes I think this is going to be the trend. My car is a Euro 4 diesel so I can't take it into some major cities, but then I try not to anyway as I don't like city driving or trying to find a parking place in cities.
Are there many campsites within clean air zones? I wouldn't have thought there were that many. Most of them are situated well outside cities in open countryside so I shouldn't think there will be many so affected. It will certainly hit residents in cities though. More about making money from motorists again I fear.
There’s been a thread about this already.
It had a link to an official document or article & I forwarded that link to friends with a MH who live in Gtr M/cr.
The M62 is exempt, as are the other motorways.
However, this is not just the inner city, it's the whole of Greater Manchester, including all the Boroughs, so Bolton, Bury including Ramsbottom, Rochdale, Oldham, etc.
Some of these places are out in the sticks, we live on the edge of the countryside and moors.
I would be interested to know where all these “congestion / pollution charges” I have to pay in various cities every day go…. To somehow fight climate change? (Doubt it).
To pay pointless salaries and pensions for non jobs? (Almost certainly)
Quote: Originally posted by Triaxle on 16/11/2021
I would be interested to know where all these “congestion / pollution charges” I have to pay in various cities every day go…. To somehow fight climate change? (Doubt it).
To pay pointless salaries and pensions for non jobs? (Almost certainly)
They are there first and foremost to clean up the air, so saving lives rather than the planet? The money no doubt will go into local coffers and be used to improve public transport.
^^^ yep we can all dream.
If they were so keen to cut emissions in cities they would BAN non compliant vehicles outright. But no, you CAN bring them in at a cost. Says it all.
I understand the clean air zone charges go to central government who then give money to the cities to spend on their schemes.
Bristol comes in in Summer 2022. Baltic Wharf site is in the zone but is due to be closed and moved to a position just outside. Might be tricky getting to it from some directions though and of course will restrict access to the city for days out.
I can live the rest of my life without ever driving into a large conurbation. I live in rural north Essex & the only long trips I do are towing my caravan to Norfolk Devon Cornwall & rural destinations abroad via Dover or Harwich. Diesel till I die. Which might be another 25yrs yet.
This is about saving the people that live in cities not saving the planet. There is no middle ground. You either take steps to reduce pollution in cities or you don’t. So are folks suggesting we stay exactly as we are. No road charging or anything ? Or tax the rich ? Shell is moving HQ to UK to avoid 15% tax on dividends levied in the Netherlands. Try driving a diesel car in Holland. £1200pa road tax anybody ?
The best ever car engines were diesels made in the 80s & 90s. They were economical & ran forever with cheap maintenance. Few electronics to worry about. Should we have stayed with those ? Just imagine a properly rust proofed 1990s Disco still made today. A 1.8 turbo diesel Sierra. Plenty of poke. Remember the black smoke out the back when you floored it ? Simple cheap to maintain cars but still a nice drive. Modern cars are just complication for the sake of it.
I could live my life without driving into a large conurbation too, there is public transport. However, the situation now is that from June 2023, every time we drive the 'van off the drive, even to tank it up, we will be charged £10.
The original plan, which we responded to, was for the zone to start inside the M60. This has obviously been stealthily superceded. Greater Manchester is a huge area, the edges of it up here in the north are very rural, but they are still included. The signs are going up on the roads every day, they have been trying out the cameras.
However, all is not lost for us. OH is looking into replacing the 'van with a Eoro 6 one. We use it all the time as a second car, it goes out at least twice a week.
I can't help but think that a lot of those who will be affected will be the less well off city dwellers. They probably can't afford to change their vehicles for later ones to meet the emission regs., and will have to pay every time they use their cars. They have no other choice.
I'm among those who can't afford a newer car, but I live well outside a city. The nearest is London, and the boundary of the London LEZ is nearly 20 miles from me. If I go into London, which is rarely, it is always on the train. Its a 10 minute stroll to the station then a 45 minute journey on the train, plus I have my retired-staff pass, so it would be rather stupid of me to drive there anyway. I have always hated driving into London, as the traffic is murder so it takes ages, then its a real nightmare trying to find somewhere to park. A doddle on the train plus its free, and being an old codger the buses are all free too.
The ULEZ and similar schemes will hit the worst off. Not all have access to public transport to suit their working patterns.
They may not be able to afford a compliant vehicle due to income restrictions. City house prices or rents being high. So do they give up work relocate or what?
A tricky situation.
Is Mayor Kahn being chauffeured in an electric vehicle?
We have E6 cars so no problem. Our nearest city is Birmingham, should we wish to visit it will be by train, as parking is expensive and traffic busy. 40 minutes on train with frequent services. As for London, usually bypassed on M25 on our way to France!
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
Hi all, we live in Cheshire. I feel your pain Franbee.
I have very mixed feelings about the Greater Manchester CAZ. I have no desire to drive our old vw T4 into any city but Greater Manchester is a huge area. While the M60/M6/M62 will all still be charge free there are some major roads that reach the motorway network that are included in the zone. Its for vehicles pre Euro 6, (2016 ish) so no age really for a campervan. HGVs and taxis start in May 2022 and vans (including campervans) 2023. HGVs will be £60 a day so if you own a Motorhome then I would certainly keep an eye on the official Website.
Manchester Airport is also within the zone.
For those who say use public transport, yes fair enough, my parents live in Stockport area and have never owned a car, they have plenty of buses and trains. Where we live in Cheshire we are on the main train line into Manchester, the place we would go to for the theatre or a band. Of course we go by train but it's a real rush for the last train home at 23.15
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: City clean air zones
via mobile 16/11/2021 at 5:33pm
