MP Jonathan Gullis has presented a petition signed by more than 1,100 people to the city council opposing the introduction of low emission zones and congestion charges in Stoke-on-Trent.

The Stoke-on-Trent North MP's petition also calls for the rejection of a "15-minute city" concept on the area.

But a number of councillors at Thursday's meeting (January 25), where Mr Gullis spoke on the issue, said that parts of Stoke-on-Trent were already a 15-minute city if considering the concept of residents having access to services needed for their day to day lives, such as shops, schools, workplaces and leisure spaces, within a 15 minute walk, bike ride or public transport route. Council leader Jane Ashworth called on him to co-sign a letter with with her to the Government detailing proposals to reduce pollution in the city, after the authority ruled out any plans to introduce an ultra low emission zone (ULEZ).

Mr Gullis said: "My petition called for the council to say no to restrictive 15-minute cities, say no to ultra-low emissions zones, known as ULEZ, and say no to congestion charges ever being imposed on our great city. Put simply, ULEZ is a dangerous policy, peddled by eco-extremists who are out of touch with reality, which is why I felt this petition was needed for two reasons.

Jonathan Gullis' petition was signed by more than 1,100 people (Wiki Commons).

"Firstly is the very clear threat we heard from the deputy leader of the Labour Party, Angela Rayner, that ULEZ was – to quote her directly – 'coming to towns and cities across the United Kingdom. I could not stand by and allow her to try and force this on the great residents of Stoke-on-Trent under a Labour administration.

"The second reason is the horror we have seen unfold in London under Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan – his scheme to expand ULEZ to the outer boroughs is wreaking havoc on residents and businesses. People are punished for using their cars and billed £12.50 a day to get the kids to school, commute to work and visit the shops or their GP; I could not let the same thing happen here in Stoke-on-Trent.

"I respect Councillor (Amjid) Wazir and Councillor Ashworth's bravery in sending a very clear message to Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner that we in Stoke-on-Trent will not be part of the eco-mob who want to drag us back into the dark ages. Since 2019 I witnessed and worked first-hand with Councillor Jellyman and Councillor Edwards in standing up to the Government, deploying every tactic we could to prevent ever introducing a Clean Air Zone.

"I welcome the recent announcement that the council is seeking to scrap the Clean Air Zone plans for Stoke-on-Trent. I'd like to thank everybody who signed my petition; together our voices ensured that Stoke-on-Trent will be ULEZ-free – a victory for our great city."

The Stoke-on-Trent North MP also called for the rejection of a '15-minute city' concept on the area (LDRS).

Council leader Jane Ashworth called for the petition to be noted at Thursday's meeting. She added: "We propose that Jonathan Gullis, together with the other MPs in this city, co-sign a letter with me to the appropriate Government department to make it clear that we in Stoke-on-Trent are developing a plan to reduce the pollution caused primarily by congestion and older vehicles in our city.

"The situation is fairly clear. Since 2018, when the Conservative Government told the city to clean up its pollution problems, there has been agreement that yes things need to change, and yes the decisions that are made and plans that are put forward need to come forward from within our city.

"Time after time, you will see a situation where something may be imposed by central Government that doesn't quite get it in terms of the way life works and traffic flows in our city. It's our intention to make sure that Government does not impose upon us a solution that doesn't meet our needs.

"We are working frequently with external contractors, with people who understand better than we do, the issues around polution in our city and we're trying to come up with something which says we do not need a CAZ (Clean Air Zone). What we need instead is some traffic changes around a specific area in Fenton.

"That's the plan – it's not a drama, it's not a conspiracy, we're doing the best we can to continue our entirely reasonable conversation with Government officers to make sure a sensible plan is brought forward. I'm hoping that central Government do not impose upon us a plan and at this moment I am hoping we will be successful – I think we will be."

Councillor Sarah Hill said: "I was quite surprised to see this petition because I thought we had got a settled position on where we are as a city council. I don't think Mr Gullis has probably read a lot about 15-minute cities – I think he's probably listened to a lot of right-wing rhetoric about 15-minute cities.

"I have read about 15-minute cities and I have taken something very different from what is intended by this. I see it as about how we develop liveable communities.

"I live in Penkhull and from my house I can walk to the bus stop, the Co-op, my GP, the village hall, two churches and The Croft – a beautiful green space. When my granddaughter starts school in September it will be a five-minute walk to her local primary school and it's a 10-monute walk to the local high school.

"I see that as a liveable community – I know we don't all have that in the city and I wish more of us did. But that's how I see the benefit of some of this – it isn't about what it stops you doing, it's what it enables you to do."

-------

READ MORE: Consultation launched over future of dog enclosure in Burslem Park

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stoke Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our city.

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter email HERE - just click the 'SIGN UP' button.

Please consider following Stoke Nub News on Facebook or Twitter.