Greater Manchester responds to Clean Air Zone concerns

Greater Manchester leaders have issued a statement responding to growing pushback from residents over plans to implement Clean Air Zone charges for the most polluting commercial vehicles from 30th May 2022.

The statement, issued jointly by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and the city-region’s Clean Air Lead and Trafford Council leader, Cllr Andrew Western, comes following growing concerns that supply chain challenges and rising costs of new and second-hand vehicles compliant with the scheme will impact businesses’ ability to comply with the new rules.

In their statement, city-region leaders reconfirmed that measures to tackle harmful NOx air pollution in Greater Manchester are mandated by government to be in place by 2024. So far Greater Manchester has received £120 million to provide financial support to organisations affected by the scheme, but requests for additional funds have been granted.

Mayor Burnham and Cllr Western said:

“In March 2020, the Government instructed all ten Greater Manchester councils to introduce a charging Clean Air Zone to tackle harmful levels of air pollution and achieve compliance with legal standards by 2024 at the latest.

“We know this is a major challenge for many individuals and businesses which is why we have always been clear with Ministers that it must be accompanied by a fair package of financial support. While the Government has provided £120m, we are concerned that they have so far failed to agree to our request for additional support for those who will find it hardest to make the change. We also warned them of our on-going concerns about the vehicle supply chain and the cooperation of National Highways.

“Over the past few months, Greater Manchester has continued to monitor these issues alongside the on-going impact of the pandemic and increases in the cost of living. In addition, late last year we commissioned new work to understand the impact of the growing global supply chain issues in the automotive sector which could affect the availability of some vehicles and people’s ability to upgrade. 

“Greater Manchester leaders will consider the outcome of this work next week before asking the Clean Air Joint Committee to consider the implications for the Clean Air Plan later in the month. We are committed to reducing air pollution in Greater Manchester but also to protecting the jobs and livelihoods of our residents. We are listening carefully to concerns being expressed about the current situation and will make a decision shortly on our next steps.”

The first financial support scheme opening for HGV owners in the city-region opened in Autumn 2021. Organisations will be able to access grants or financing to help meet the costs of retrofitting existing vehicles to reduce harmful emissions, or support the cost of purchasing a cleaner alternative.

Financial support schemes for taxis, coaches, vans and other affected commercial vehicles are expected to launch later this month. Privately-owned cars will not be impacted by the Clean Air Zone. An online checker tool is available to help businesses prepare.