Financial support scheme for HGVs to launch in November ahead of Clean Air Zone

A financial support scheme to upgrade or retrofit Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) to comply with the GM-wide Clean Air Zone will open to applications this November.

Subject to approval by the GM Air Quality Administration Committee, HGVs registered in Greater Manchester will be able to apply for funding support from 30th November.

The Clean Air Zone, launching on 30 May 2022, is a key component of Greater Manchester’s green revolution, helping to tackle the problem of air pollution, which contributes towards at least 1,200 deaths per year in the city-region.

GM has secured one of the largest support packages outside of London with £120 million to help regional businesses, people and organisations upgrade to cleaner, compliant vehicles and avoid a daily charge.

Around £8 million will initially be made available to help affected HGV owners to upgrade or retrofit their vehicles ahead of the Zone going live next year. The first round of funding will aim to support GM’s smaller businesses, sole traders and the voluntary sector and clean up the oldest, dirtiest vehicles.

Applications for HGV funding are proposed to open on 30 November to give those eligible and impacted by the zone the maximum amount of time to apply. Funding support for other vehicle types has already begun to be released.

Greater Manchester Lead for Clean Air, Cllr Andrew Western, said:

“The Clean Air Zone will be crucial in our wider plan to reduce vehicle emissions and clean up Greater Manchester’s air.

“We’re working hard to ensure we support as many affected vehicle owners as possible move to cleaner vehicles so they don’t have to pay a daily charge.

“The financial support scheme opens to HGVs in November, pending approval, and I’d encourage anyone who thinks they could be affected to apply early.

“Between now and then, vehicle owners can find out more at cleanairgm.com, where they can sign up for regular updates.”

The ten GM councils are under direction from government to introduce the category C** Clean Air Zone to secure compliance with Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) legal limits on local roads in the shortest possible time, and by 2024 at the latest.

The Zone – which covers all ten Greater Manchester districts – will not include private cars, motorbikes and mopeds.

A public consultation process is also underway around two amendments to the schemes, that will close a loophole for certain types of motorcaravans, and bring stretches of the A575 and A580 at Worsley into the Clean Air Zone.