A new plan has been unveiled to tackle pollution in the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone that won’t involve charging motorists.
Greater Manchester has been under direction from the government to combat its poor air quality and pollution on some of its roads, with a Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone being under review for around three years.
However, the government has now agreed a funding package for the Manchester Clean Air Plan that will allow the region to hit its target to reduce levels of nitrogen oxide without charging drivers for using the roads, as had been discussed previously.
The new, ‘investment-led’ approach was spearheaded by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who campaigned against the Manchester Clean Air Zone charges in light of the fact that the majority of people in the area would “not have been able to afford to clean up their vehicles and be stuck with paying the charge and no cleaner air”.
“Investing in public transport is a better way of getting clean air,” said Burnham, who has hailed this week’s announcement as a “truly great outcome for Greater Manchester”.
Investment in Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan
Instead of motorists being charged for driving into the area, the area is set to receive a fleet of new, lower-polluting buses, as well as other measures such as traffic calming aimed at improving the overall air quality in the problem areas.
The new package of investment includes:
- £51.1m towards bus investment, including 40 zero emission buses, 77 Euro VI standard buses and charging infrastructure;
- £5m for local traffic management measures;
- £8 million to support moving Greater Manchester’s taxi fleet to cleaner vehicles
- Up to £21.9m for administration, delivery, monitoring and other associated costs.
- Local leaders have also been told they can review and cancel contracts relating to the Clean Air Zone, such as signs and cameras.
For many people already living in the area, as well as those looking to invest in or move to Greater Manchester, who may have been affected by the uncertainty surrounding the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone over recent years, the latest outcome is likely to be particularly welcome.
Great progress for Manchester
Greater Manchester has been labelled one of the most forward-thinking regions in the country thanks to its innovative Bee Network buses that have transformed travel across the area. Its new plan that removes punitive measures for drivers while still achieving the desired results has been hailed as “fantastic progress”.
Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood said: “Having completed the groundbreaking Bee Network buses, Greater Manchester is making fantastic progress in building a modern, sustainable and truly integrated transport network.
“Manchester will be able to reduce pollution from transport without having to charge motorists, and new, cleaner buses will help Mancunians get around easily while still bringing down emissions across the city.
“We will continue to work with local leaders to create better connected communities, meet our climate targets and make Britain a clean energy superpower as part of our Plan for Change.”
Vote of confidence for Manchester
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has expressed his gratitude to the government for “listening to Greater Manchester”, calling the agreement to take an investment-led approach under the Manchester Clean Air Plan a “vote of confidence”.
He added: “Because we have implemented the first phase of the Bee Network on time and on budget, the Government clearly trusts us to deliver and has seen the evidence that our approach is working. The Bee Network is cleaning up our air and keeping the cost of travel as low as possible. Its success is allowing us to remove a big weight of worry off the shoulders of people who need to drive as part of their job.”
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