Launch of Greater Manchester's Clean Air Zone delayed
Greater Manchester is being given until July to provide further evidence and a revised plan
Last updated 4th Feb 2022
The launch of Greater Manchester's Clean Air Zone is being delayed.
The Government has granted permission to authorities to delay the implementation.
Since Greater Manchester’s proposals were submitted in 2019 there have been a number of challenges, including the impact of Covid-19 on supply chains and the price and availability of second-hand vehicles.
Evidence provided by Greater Manchester found these impacts will make it harder for people to upgrade to cleaner vehicles, meaning the Clean Air Zone is unlikely to deliver compliance with legal limits by the original date of 2024.
The government has carefully considered the Mayor’s proposal and following meetings last week and further discussions today, the Environment Secretary has agreed to allow a short delay to the implementation of the Clean Air Zone.
The government says the short delay will allow Greater Manchester time to provide further evidence and a revised plan by July setting out how it will deliver legal levels of NO2 as soon as possible, and no later than 2026.
Nearly £170m has already been allocated across Greater Manchester to help reduce nitrogen dioxide levels.
Ministers and officials will continue to engage with Greater Manchester on its revised plans and updated evidence.
'We will deliver improved air quality as soon as possible'
A joint statement from Jo Churchill, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester and Cllr Andrew Western, GMCA portfolio lead for clean air:
"We met last week and have had further robust and constructive discussions today to find a solution.
"Air quality is one of our biggest health challenges and we are all completely committed to tackling it.
"We have agreed to a short time-limited pause. We will work together to deliver, by the middle of the year, a plan for clean air for Greater Manchester, one that is fair to the businesses and residents of the city-region.
"We will deliver improved air quality as soon as possible, not losing ambition but ensuring we take into account the pandemic, global supply chain challenges, improvements already baked into retrofits and the scope as previously laid out.
"We will now work jointly to meet the Greater Manchester and Government requirements on clean air, as soon as possible, and no later than 2026."