VANS, buses, lorries and taxis could be charged to drive in and around Greater Manchester under plans to cut pollution levels.

A scheme revealed today says buses and lorries will have to pay £100 a day while taxis and vans would be charged £7.50 a day to drive in and around Manchester.

The levy, set to be brought in from 2021 for most of the vehicles and 2023 for vans, would affect drivers travelling to the area from Warrington.

It would affect taxi drivers heading to Manchester Airport or city centre as well as van drivers, especially those with older vehicles, who may work in the authority.

Cars will be exempt from the pollution tax however, despite that option being on the table for council leaders at one stage.

Only the most highly polluting vehicles would be charged under the Cleanr Air Zone scheme which will be discussed at a meeting in Manchester on Friday.

Warrington's Own Buses would also be affected by the announcement.

The company runs services to Leigh and Altrincham at the moment, although the newer Cheshire Cat buses which travel to Altrincham would not come under the levy.

But the Leigh service would, and a £100 a day penalty charge could put the future of that route under threat.

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Ben Wakerley, MD of Warrington’s Own Buses, said: “A Clean Air Zone that doesn’t include cars seems intuitively to not go far enough.

“To alleviate traffic congestion and poor air quality, we need modal shift from cars to public transport, with fewer reasons to use cars and more incentives to use public transport.

“At Warrington’s Own Buses, we have already invested in Hybrid electric and Euro 6 buses and see our buses as a key part of the answer for the town.”