Ban taxis from outside Greater Manchester to keep our region's air clean, government told

Taxis not licensed locally should be banned in Greater Manchester as this could help keep our air clean, the government has been told. The city-region will seek a commitment from the government in its upcoming talks about further devolution to introduce new regulations enforcing the ban.

Currently, cabs which are licensed elsewhere can be booked by customers in Greater Manchester even if they do not meet the standards of local councils. The 10 local authorities in the city-region have been looking to introduce joint minimum licensing standards for all taxis and private hire vehicles, bringing the rules for drivers, vehicles and operators in all boroughs in line with each other.

This includes requiring frequent criminal record checks of drivers, testing their English language proficiency and creating a common colour for all local taxis. However, the roll out of the minimum licensing standards was halted after the introduction of a Clean Air Zone - which would also affect taxis - was delayed.

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It followed a public backlash which led the government to push back the deadline by which local councils must bring air pollution below legal limits. Greater Manchester is due to submit a revised scheme which aims to achieve air quality compliance no later than the new deadline of 2026 on Friday.

Unlike the previous plan which would have seen the most polluting vans, lorries, buses and taxis charged a daily penalty for using the city-region's roads, the new proposal would not involve charging any vehicles at all. Instead, buses, lorries and taxis which do not comply with emission standards would be offered