Businesses are being urged to begin to take action as Greater Manchester prepares to implement its Clean Air Plan from 30 May 2022.
Following its approval by Greater Manchester’s 10 boroughs, commercial vehicles using Greater Manchester’s road network will be required to meet higher environmental standards or pay a daily charge as part of plans to tackle air pollution in the city-region. Around 850 ANPR cameras and 2,000 signs are being installed on the highways network in readiness for Greater Manchester-wide Clean Air Zone launch on 30 May 2022 to enforce the new rules.
Businesses are now being invited to check their vehicle compliance using a new online tool on the CleanairGM.com websites. Businesses can also sign up to receive regular updates and find out more about when charges will apply, discounts, exemptions and eligibility for funding.
Financial support available to help GM prepare for cleaner air
GM has secured government funding to help local businesses, people and organisations to upgrade to cleaner vehicles through grants and finance options. Then their vehicles will be clean enough to comply with the Clean Air Zone.
Over £120 million in financial support is available to help the smallest businesses and organisations, as well as individuals, with the oldest and most polluting vehicles to upgrade to cleaner vehicles. This will include small and micro businesses, sole traders, those who are self-employed, charities and social enterprises and private owners.
In order to receive a grant and/or finance options to upgrade non-compliant vehicles, businesses, people and organisations will have to meet eligibility criteria. The criteria depends on the type of non-compliant vehicle being replaced or retrofitted.
The amount available as a grant or finance to replace or retrofit a non-compliant vehicle depends on the vehicle type and in some cases the weight of that vehicle.
In order to apply for grants and finance options applicants will need to meet specific criteria, full details of which will be available before funding opens in late November 2021.