Plans for a new "non-charging" Clean Air Zone plan have been submitted to the government, according to the council.

The new plan will not require the use of a multimillion-pound network of police cameras but the authority has admitted that the current contract, which runs into tens of millions, cannot be changed until the government reports back.

Council cabinet member for environmental services, Cllr Nadim Muslim, claimed at a meeting of full council that the plans had been changed thanks to pressure from his party.

He said: “You will be aware that a new non-charging Clean Air Zone has been submitted to the government which I personally believed will not require the use of ANPR cameras.”

He added: “The emphasis on that new clean air plan is investment in a clean energy vehicle fleet.

“But until the secretary of state provides feedback on a new Greater Manchester clean air plan, Transport for Greater Manchester is unable to change or cancel the plan for a charging clean air zone.”

The Bolton News: APNR cameras have been installed around Greater Manchester APNR cameras have been installed around Greater Manchester (Image: GMP)

Cllr Muslim said a report would be released on the future funding by Greater Manchester Airport Administration Committee for Friday, October 28, which he would be attending.

The clean air zone has long been a contentious topic in Bolton and across the city region.

More than £20m has already been spent on the scheme, including on police ANPR cameras, the first of which in Bolton was installed on Vernon Street.

The Clean Air Zone was supposed to start in May this year but was put under review following a public outcry.

Cllr Muslim had been responding to a question but by Cllr David Wilkinson, who represents Westhoughton, who had asked about the current status of the Clean Air Zone plans.

ALSO READ: The millions spent so far on Clean Air Zone which never happened

ALSO READ: Clean Air Zone signs vandalised amid 'congestion charge through back door' fears

Cllr Wilkinson said that at a recent meeting with the council, the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Stephen Watson, told members that ANPR cameras in London raised around £5.5m a year for the Metropolitan Police.

Cllr Wilkinson said: “Obviously in Greater Manchester we’re still waiting for the decision from the government in relation to the Clean Air Zone.

"So there is an overlap between what the chief constable wanted, what we’re still waiting for and the fact that 800 cameras are now dotted around the Greater Manchester conurbation.”