A FURIOUS councillor is demanding “unsightly” and “inaccurate” Clean Air Zone signs be removed from her rural ward, as angry residents took matters into their own hands.

Cllr Jean Rigby says the signs all around Edgworth should be removed immediately as they are now factually incorrect, following the temporary suspension of the Greater Manchester scheme.

The signs at present suggest the zone (CAZ) will come into force on May 30 though the government confirmed this would now be pushed back until July following a significant backlash.

The Clean Air Zone was proposed by Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, though he has recently distanced himself from it, claiming the Conservative government had forced his hand and said he was “not a decision maker” on the scheme.

Several residents and Cllr Rigby have reported seeing phallic graffiti sprayed onto the signs, though this has since been removed or taped over.

Cllr Rigby, who represents the West Pennine ward, said: “They need to go, now. They are implying that Edgworth is not already a Clean Air Zone. It is. If you compare our pollution with somewhere like Bolton, it’s an extremely Clean Air Zone already.

“The village should never have been subjected to these plans in the first place.

“Now that it’s been effectively scrapped, there’s no use for having these unsightly things telling you something false as you drive in.

“People around here are evidently in agreement, as they’ve all been turned round or messed with.

Fellow West Pennine councillors, Cllr Julie Slater and her husband Cllr Neil Slater agree with Cllr Rigby.

In a joint statement, they said: “Myself and my husband fully back Cllr Jean Rigby’s comments.

“They are indeed unsightly and factually incorrect now. They should be removed as it’s now on hold and misleading to our residents, which is not right.”

The first phase of the CAZ was due to launch on May 30, affecting buses, heavy goods vehicles, taxis and private hire vehicles licensed outside Greater Manchester which didn’t meet emission standards.

Provision had been made to help businesses in Greater Manchester make the transition, but nothing was in place to assist those in areas immediately bordering the zone, like Edgworth.

A Clean Air Greater Manchester spokesman said: “Government has revoked the legal direction requiring the implementation of a charging Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in Greater Manchester and, therefore, charges will no longer apply from May 30. Greater Manchester’s 10 local authorities now have until July 1 to work with government to develop a new plan.

“Work is now under way to cover the opening date of May 30 on the CAZ signs in Greater Manchester and neighbouring areas with a sticker advising the scheme is ‘under review’, to reduce any confusion for people driving into and within the city-region.

“All costs associated with the new plan, including the essential requirement to update existing signage, will continue to be funded by government.”