Manchester Clean Air Zone to launch in May 2022
Plans were approved by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to launch a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in Manchester on the 30th of May 2022.
Despite the pandemic leading to ‘brief air quality improvements’ modelling showed that long term roadside pollution would be achievable without the implementation of CAZ.
How much will it cost?
Drivers of highly polluting heavy goods vehicles, buses and coaches will be charged £60 a day.
For non-compliant vans and taxis, the costs are £10 and £7.50 a day respectively.
Private cars are exempt from the charge.
Grant Available
TfGM says it has secured £120 million from the government to help impacted businesses purchase compliant vehicles. Applications open in November. Van owners will be able to access up to £4,500 towards a new vehicle, while hackney cab owners get up to £10,000 to upgrade.
Electric Charging
TfGM says it has secured government funding to install 30 taxi-only electric vehicle charging points across the city. It will also publish an Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy next month. According to TfGM, this document:
‘will set out ambitious plans, so that by 2030 anyone who chooses to travel by car or van will be able to confidently drive an EV knowing that they can recharge it quickly and conveniently across the region’.
There are currently around 360 public charging points located in the city.
Comment
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said:
“Greater Manchester were the pioneers of the industrial revolution, now we are leading a green revolution, backed with over £120 million that we’ve secured to hand over to businesses to support making their vehicles compliant”.
“The fact is that air pollution is not a problem that is going to go away on its own. Not only has our plan been directed by the national government, we’ve taken this seriously and fought to get a plan which has the right funding support for residents and to protect those most vulnerable as well as our trade and businesses. This plan will also have major health and wellbeing benefits for people living near motorways or major roads as there will be fewer polluting vehicles and HGVs using them.”
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Manchester Clean Air Zone to launch in May 2022
