Greater Manchester’s charging clean air zone (CAZ) – for HGVs, buses, coaches and non-licensed taxis and private hire vehicles – will not go ahead on 30 May 2022 as originally planned.
The news comes after Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) said the current plan – developed under a legal direction to meet air quality limits by 2024 – was “unworkable” and could have created financial hardship for local people due to changes in the availability and affordability of cleaner vehicles.
A new UK government direction now requires Greater Manchester’s 10 local authorities to bring nitrogen dioxide on local roads to within legal limits as soon as possible and by no later than 2026.
GMCA now has until 01 July 2022 to work with government to develop a new plan.
Papers published in advance of the Greater Manchester Air Quality Administration Committee meeting on Monday 28 February, will ask members to note:
- Wording on installed CAZ signs stating the original opening date of 30 May 2022 will be covered;
- Applications for funding for light goods vehicles, minibuses, taxis and private hire vehicles, and discounts or exemptions under the previous plan have been paused;
- HGV and bus funding remains open to support people to upgrade and help deliver improved air quality.
Furthermore, the committee has been asked to agree that ANPR cameras that have been installed will be utilised, under agreement with government, to gather real-time data to inform the new plan, including monitoring vehicle fleet renewal trends and specific traffic mix at key locations where nitrogen dioxide levels are in breach of legal limits.
“Greater Manchester remains committed to cleaning up the air its residents breathe – but in a way that helps people to make the change and does not put jobs, livelihoods and businesses at risk,” GMCA said in a statement.
