THE controversial Clean Air Zone scheme has been paused following crunch talks this afternoon.

Opposition to the scheme set to be introduced in May has been growing in recent days and now the roll-out will be stopped for the majority of commercial vehicles.

Non-compliant vehicles would face a daily charge between £7 and £60 but private vehicles  - cars, mopeds or motorbikes- would not be included but larger vehicles, such as vans or pickups, motorhomes and commercial vehicles, such as taxis and private hire vehicles would incur a charge.

Cllr Martyn Cox. leader of Bolton Council, was present at the meeting of the GMCA this afternoon which was held to discuss the issues raised as the backlash to the policy grew last week.

He said: “The implementation of the Clean Air Zone has been paused for lighter goods vehicles and taxis, with the exception of heavy good vehicles, buses and out of town taxis.

"We are happy with that they have taken this action but would have like it to have gone further and for the Secretary of State to pause it.

“The Combined Authority want to now sit down with the government to discuss the issues.”