Andy Burnham's scathing response to government on Clean Air Zone - as 80,000 van drivers could be slapped with charges

Andy Burnham has hit back at the government's latest proposals for a city centre Clean Air Zone, which would see van drivers being charged along with buses, coaches, taxis and lorries.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester had recently put forward plans for a non-charging CAZ, focusing on upgrading the most polluting heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and buses, in order to meet NO2 limits by the revised deadline of 2026. Mr Burnham also wanted any CAZ to be Category B rather than Category C - so that van drivers would be excluded.

Earlier this week, Environment Secretary George Eustice wrote a letter to Mr Burnham, in which he claimed there is 'little robust evidence' that offering funding for vehicle upgrades alone without charges would bring pollution below legal limits. The Secretary of State also said that a Category C scheme would still be preferable.

READ MORE : The latest twist in the Clean Air Zone saga - and how Greater Manchester has reacted

He wrote: "A highly-targeted Category C charging scheme, over a small area where NO2 impacts are most concentrated, in practice Manchester city centre, could represent a path between two extremes, achieving most of the public health benefits of the original scheme while greatly reducing the potential impacts on local businesses."

In a scathing response sent yesterday (June 2) Mr Burnham told Mr Eustice that he is 'extremely disappointed' that the government are 'seeking to dismiss' his most recent proposals. He also criticised the Conservative Party for 'promises' made during the run-up to the local elections in relation to scrapping a charging CAZ in Greater Manchester.

Mr Burnham wrote: "We are extremely disappointed and surprised to receive your letter which seeks to dismiss