Manchester is set to launch its clean air zone (CAZ) on 30 May 2022, as part of its Clear Air Plan to tackle air pollution. All ten Greater Manchester local authorities have approved the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan, which includes a government directed ‘Category C’ charging CAZ, meaning charges only apply to taxis, vans, buses, coaches and HGVs that do not meet the required emission standards.

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According to Transport for Greater Manchester good progress is being made to deliver the clean air zone, which will include local roads in all 10 Greater Manchester local authority areas. The first of around 850 automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras and 2,000 signs are being installed across the region’s highways network.

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Affected vehicles include light goods vehicles and vans, heavy goods vehicles, buses, coaches, motorhomes, hackney cabs, private hire vehicles and minibuses, but not private cars. Buses, coaches and HGVs that meet Euro VI emissions standards are exempted from any charges or restrictions and so are cars, vans and taxis that meet Euro 6 (diesel) or Euro 4 (petrol) emissions standards.

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Support scheme

Manchester is launching a £120 million support scheme in November to help businesses switch to cleaner, compliant vehicles ahead of of the introduction of its CAZ.

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Councillor Andrew Western, portfolio lead for Clean Air in the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), stated:

“We’re working hard to ensure we support affected vehicle owners move to cleaner vehicles so they don’t have to pay a daily charge. As a city region, we are committed to tackling air pollution, which is the biggest environmental public health issue facing the city-region and contributes to around 1,200 deaths in Greater Manchester alone each year. That’s why we have developed a Clean Air Plan that not only helps us meet government requirements on nitrogen dioxide air pollution, but also delivers the funding support for those businesses, individuals and organisations who need to upgrade their vehicle to become compliant."

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He continued: “Our goal is to reduce harmful emissions. We want to help as many people and businesses as possible to be driving cleaner vehicles so we can all breathe cleaner air.”

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Consultation

Following the results of a public consultation on the Clean Air Plan in 2020, an additional public consultation has been launched to decide on the inclusion of certain leisure vehicles in the charging scheme. Motorhomes and campervans – that may look similar and have similar emissions – are treated equally, regardless of administrative vehicle categories.

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“The updated proposals aim to ensure that all motorhomes and campervans – that may look similar and have similar emissions – are treated equally, regardless of administrative vehicle categories" says Councillor Andrew Western.

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The consultation also seeks views on whether to include sections of the A575 and A580 at Worsley in the charging scheme. The consultation will be open until 13 October 2021.

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Source: Eltis