GM leaders agree to request to pause Phase 2 Clean Air Funds but Phase 1 of Clean Air Zone to go ahead

Greater Manchester leaders have agreed to seek permission from government to pause the opening of Phase 2 of Clean Air Funds in light of challenges for businesses to comply that have emerged since plans were first designed. Phase 1 of the Clean Air Zone will go ahead as planned from 30th May 2022.

Since the plan was consulted on and agreed in July 2021, emerging evidence has found that supply chain issues and price inflation has led to significant challenges for businesses to upgrade or retrofit vehicles in time to comply with the new rules, and that the existing £120 million support package agreed with government may no longer be sufficient.

Following the recommendation of a report into the progress of delivering funding, the GM Air Quality Administration Committee has, on 20th January, agreed to seek permission from the Secretary of State to pause the opening of phase 2 Clean Air Funds. This tranche of support was due to open at the end of January to finance compliant vans, coaches and taxis for GM businesses and individuals, due to be required to comply with Clean Air Zone rules from 1st June 2023. Vehicles owners who had already placed orders pending funding opening at the end of January should be able to contact Clean Air GM for advice to ensure they are not detrimentally impacted by the decision to pause the opening of the funds, and that awards can be made where appropriate.

Plans for Phase 1 of the Clean Air Zone, impacting the most polluting HGVs, buses and taxis registered outside of Greater Manchester will continue to go ahead as planned from 30th May 2022; however, in light of supply chain challenges, businesses that can demonstrate they are awaiting delivery of a compliant HGV will be able to apply for a temporary exemption to avoid being penalised by the scheme. The Greater Manchester Financial Support Scheme is currently open for applications from eligible bus and HGV owners.

The Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone is being introduced following a government mandate for the city-region to take action on high levels of NO2 air pollution, largely causeed as a result of vehicle exhaust fumes. The scheme will see the most polluting commercial vehicles face a daily charge when driving on roads in the city-region (excluding motorways and certain key trunk roads); revenues from the charges will be reinvested in supporting the take-up on compliant vehicles and other transport investment in Greater Manchester. Privately-owned cars will not be affected by the scheme.

Download TfGM’s latest Clean Air Zone update here, which also includes details of funding available and expected charges for commercial vehicles.