AFTER a week of turmoil and mounting backlash the roll-out of the second phase of the controversial Clean Air Zone (CAZ) has been paused.

Revolts against the scheme first became apparent when road signs started to appear at the end of December last year. The signs fuelled a furious social media backlash which was followed by mass taxi demonstrations and public protests across Greater Manchester.

Proposals to charge small business owners, whether van, coach, or taxi drivers’ vehicles as part of the scheme have been blasted by critics who claim the fees would make it near impossible for traders to survive.

The first phase of CAZ scheme, to be introduced from May, will see the most polluting lorries, buses and coaches charged £60 a day to drive in Greater Manchester.

The second phase, due a year later, would charge non-compliant vans £10 a day and taxis and private hire vehicles £7.50.

Royton North Councillor, Dave Arnott said: “As small businesses and sole traders are struggling to get back on their feet after nearly two years of unprecedented disruption, this arbitrary tax is the last thing that they need.”

He added: “I hope that common sense will prevail, and that Andy Burnham will think again and look to find a way that will address the issue of high emissions in some very specific areas of Greater Manchester, without simply “squeezing” the small businessman at a time when they can least afford it, by enforcing this region wide congestion charge.”

Oldham's Liberal Democrats' group leader and transport spokesperson for Greater Manchester, Cllr Howard Sykes called for a pause to the Clean Air Zone on Tuesday and a ‘radical re-think’.

He added: “Failing to tackle air pollution is failing the thousands of people who are dying because of it every year. We need a clean air strategy that works, not a mayor driving blind, and risking thousands of jobs in Oldham and across the region.”

Amid a growing revolt, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority confirmed that the rollout of the second phase of the scheme was set to be paused amid concerns about the affordability and availability of cleaner vehicles.

The confirmation came after news of the proposed pause was leaked on Tuesday.

In a statement issued on behalf of Metro Mayor Andy Burnham on Thursday the combined authority confirmed that they were seeking approval from the secretary of state for an 'urgent' review into launching the second phase of the scheme.

Mr Burnham said: “Clean air can only be achieved by the right package of financial support to help people upgrade their vehicles, and this latest evidence highlights significant challenges in this area.

“We are worried about what this could mean for those businesses and individuals impacted, and their ability to upgrade as well as our ability to deliver the clean air plan.”

Greater Manchester secured £120m in government funding towards upgrading non-compliant commercial vehicles but the Government did not agree to provide additional hardship funding.

A report to the Greater Manchester Air Quality Administration Committee next Thursday will set out emerging evidence that global supply chain issues could increase the costs and reduce availability of cleaner vehicles.