Government has identified Clean Air Zones as the benchmark measure that will reduce levels of roadside NO2 to within legal limits most quickly. Local authorities must therefore bring forward Clean Air Zone schemes unless they can prove compliance can be achieved through alternative measures as quickly as a Clean Air Zone. To develop the final plan, Greater Manchester has considered a wide range of measures that could help reduce roadside NO2 levels. We:
- First considered 96 potential measures to tackle NO2 levels and narrowed these down to 14.
- Then carried out detailed work to assess a number of packages of measures to determine their impact on improving air quality (and timeframe of this impact), technical feasibility, cost-benefit and socio-economic impact.
Based on these assessments, a preferred option was selected and was put forward for a public conversation. These plans are based on modelling that has been developed in line with government guidance, using the best available data and underpinned by a series of assumptions and trends.
This has helped Greater Manchester understand the type and scale of action needed to bring NO2 levels within legal limits (while limiting the impact on growth and inclusion) and identify a package of measures to consider and take forward for further development. This package of measures includes a Greater Manchester-wide Category C Clean Air Zone.
An eight-week statutory consultation on the GM CAP proposals took place in Autumn 2020. Following analysis of the consultation feedback and finalisation of the proposals, the final plan has was agreed by the ten GM local authorities in the summer of 2021.
Whilst the final plan has been agreed, there are two issues that were raised in the feedback to the original consultation that required a further consultation so that the ten GM local authorities can decide if they are to be included in the final plan. These were:
- Including M1/M1 Special Purpose vehicles with a body type of ‘motorcaravan’ within the charging scheme
- Including the sections of the A575 and A580 at Worsley within the GM Clean Air Zone
The feedback from this consultation is now being considered and it is expected that a report on the findings of the consultation alongside a recommendation on how to proceed on these two issues is expected in early 2022.