Greater Manchester confirms investment led Clean Air Zone without charging drivers

Clean Air Greater Manchester will submit to the Air Quality Administration Committee that the city region is delivering all measures agreed with Government to reduce nitrogen dioxide to legal levels without a charging Clean Air Zone. The organisation will ask the committee to transfer Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras originally installed for the Clean Air Zone to Greater Manchester Police, a move backed by almost 90 per cent of local residents in consultation. Greater Manchester aims to have its bus network fully electric by the end of the decade, supported by £51.1 million of Government funding.

Why it matters: The decision to pursue an investment led strategy rather than charging drivers removes a potential revenue stream for clean transport infrastructure, placing greater reliance on Government funding and alternative financing models. The £51.1 million Government commitment for electric bus fleet conversion represents a significant procurement opportunity for bus manufacturers and charging infrastructure providers across the region through to 2030.