Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan consultation

Overview

We need to clean up the air we all breathe. Dirty air damages our health and plays a part in thousands of deaths across the UK every year. The 10 GM local authority areas have worked together to develop a joint Clean Air Plan to reduce harmful air pollution on local roads.

• A GM-wide charging Clean Air Zone covering local roads in all ten local authorities.
• A government funding package to help local businesses prepare by upgrading to cleaner, compliant vehicles.
   

Greater Manchester is now consulting on the key elements of the proposals, including the proposed:

• Clean Air Zone boundary.
• Daily Clean Air Zone charges.
• Discounts and exemptions.
• Support funding.

The consultation will give everyone with an interest the opportunity to give their views and help shape the final plan before it is submitted to government.

Why your views matter

Government has directed Greater Manchester to introduce a Category C Clean Air Zone across the region, to bring nitrogen dioxide levels on local roads within legal limits in “the shortest time possible”, and by 2024 at the latest.

There is now a requirement under the Transport Act 2000 to consult “such local persons as [the GM authorities] consider appropriate about the charging scheme”.

What happens next

All feedback will now be considered in helping to shape the final plans. All the responses will be reviewed by AECOM (the independent agency who are managing and analysing the responses) and considered alongside the evidence gathered about the economic consequences of COVID-19 on vehicle owners and trades affected by the proposals.

A timeline for bringing a final plan for consideration by the ten Greater Manchester local authorities will be confirmed in early 2021. Please keep up-to-date at cleanairgm.com, where you can also sign up for news and updates.