There will be no Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in Greater Manchester after the government approved an investment-led Clean Air Plan (CAP) to tackle exceedances in the city region that was put forward by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) in 2023.
The step brings to an and a long-running saga that at one time would have seen coaches and buses that did not meet Euro VI standards or better subject to a £60 daily charge.
Local authorities that are part of GMCA are under ministerial direction to bring NOx levels within legal limits by 2026 at the latest. The investment-led approach involves £86 million being put towards various mitigatory measures, including £51.1 million for buses.
That will see delivery of a further 40 zero-emission examples and their infrastructure along with 77 Euro VI diesels. Local traffic management, taxis, and associated other compliance costs such as administration, delivery and monitoring account for the remainder.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs notes that while some other areas in England have adopted a CAZ to tackle poor air quality, the submission made by GMCA demonstrated that it “can achieve compliance with legal limits faster without charging.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has welcomed the final chapter in the CAZ affair and thanked the government for agreeing with the GMCA plans, describing the latest step as “a vote of confidence in our investment-led approach to cleaning up our air.”
Mr Burnham has again stressed the importance of bus franchising in Greater Manchester, this time crediting timely completion of that as proof of how “the government clearly trusts us to deliver and has seen evidence that our approach is working.” Plans towards an all zero-emission bus fleet in the conurbation will continue, he adds.
Minister for the Future of Roads Lilian Greenwood notes that Greater Manchester “will be able to reduce pollution from transport without charging motorists, and new, cleaner buses will help Mancunians to get around easily while still bringing down emissions across the city.”
Trade body RHA has long backed the investment-led approach to tackling air quality issues. After confirmation that no Clean Air Zone in Greater Manchester would be forthcoming, Senior Policy Lead Chris Ashley called for existing emission control areas “to be closed down once legal air quality targets are met.”
He continues: “We have consistently campaigned for measures to support investment in cleaner vehicles and improve existing infrastructure, so we are pleased that the government and Greater Manchester is going ahead this way.
“This is a welcome boost to businesses struggling with soaring costs who operate there.”
