The government has backed Manchester Council’s plans for a Clean Air Zone alternative

The UK government has backed plans to improve air quality in Greater Manchester by investing in cleaner buses and taxis rather than charging drivers under a much-debated Clean Air Zone scheme.

Local leaders put forward an £86m proposal back in December 2023 after dropping plans for a charging Clean Air Zone. Government officials have now agreed that the plan will see air pollution cut to within legal limits by 2026.

Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig said: “This announcement is a good result for Manchester. Any prospect of a charging clean air zone is no more. Instead we can get on with investing in improvements which will clean up our air without the prospect of charging hanging over the owners of higher emitting vehicles.

“After years of delay and dithering under the previous Government, it’s great that we finally have clarity and certainty about how clean air will be achieved in Manchester and the rest of Greater Manchester – and that they have agreed with agreed with our case that it can, and will, be achieved without the need for charging.

“We made a strong case that the best, and quickest, route to delivering clean air for our residents was by investing in a fleet of new electric buses and support to replace other higher emitting vehicles, as well as traffic management measures in areas with the worst air quality. We welcome the announcement of funding to support this.

“It’s a testament to the new Government’s willingness to work with local leaders that they have accepted our arguments and given us the green light to proceed with our plans without imposing a charging Clean Air Zone on us.

“Clean air is an environmental priority and pollution has damaging impacts on the health of residents in the most affected areas. It’s important that we get on with addressing it and that’s exactly what today’s announcement will allow us to do.”

The investment plan includes £51m for clean-air compliant emissions buses to run on across the Bee Network, which earlier this week announced plans to add rail to its coverage. £8m has also been pledged to help hackney carriage drivers and taxis move to more efficient vehicles.