For months, Greater Manchester has been working on plans to reduce pollution and improve the quality of air in the area. The proposals put forward by the region aim to bring air quality within legal limits, addressing pressing concerns about the impact of pollution on public health and the environment. A crucial part of these plans is the Clean Air Zone (CAZ), which will limit the number of non-compliant vehicles in the region, aiming to reduce emissions from cars, buses, and lorries. As we await the update on Greater Manchester's CAZ proposals next week, let's explore what we already know and what we can expect.
Next week, Greater Manchester is set to release an update on its Clean Air Zone proposals, including the preferred option for a non-charging plan.
Last year, the region proposed to scrap the charges that some vehicle owners were set to face under the Clean Air Zone plans. Instead, the proposal is for an investment-led scheme.
Owners of non-compliant vehicles will be given funding for upgrades rather than having to face charges. This will be a welcome alternative for many vehicle owners who would otherwise have had to pay substantial fees.
Transport bosses in Greater Manchester have submitted modeling data to the government to support their investment-led, non-charging plan and their decision will take into consideration this data.
An important part of the update will consider the impact of the government's failed bus retrofit scheme on the Clean Air Plan. Greater Manchester has been eagerly awaiting this update, as the government currently reviews if retrofitting buses has effectively reduced pollution. The latest update will allow the region to adapt its approach if the government's current approach needs to be reconsidered.
Greater Manchester has invested in various initiatives to improve air quality, such as bringing buses back under local control, investing in cleaner, zero-emission electric buses and the Bee Network. The Bee Network is a plan for Greater Manchester to create an ultra-low-emission walking and cycling network across the city region. So, while the CAZ plans are critical, they form only a part of Greater Manchester's broader strategy to address air quality.