A range of alternative options were assessed during the development of the GM CAP. An initial long-list of 96 options was sifted to a shortlist of 17 based upon the Government’s Primary Success Criteria (reduction of NO2 concentrations in the “shortest possible time”). The shortlisted measures included alternatives to a charging CAZ, such as increasing public transport capacity, localised junction improvements and electric vehicle incentivisation.
Following extensive analysis of the shortlisted measures, GM concluded that a charging CAZ across the region (with supporting measures) is necessary in order to achieve compliance in the shortest possible time. Further detail is available within the Strategic Case of the OBC and in the Options Appraisal Report, found at cleanairgm.com/technical-documents. The conclusions set out in the Strategic Case are consistent with Government guidance setting out a charging CAZ as the measure most likely to achieve EU Limit Values for NO2 in towns and cities in the shortest possible time, and as the measure against which all other options must be benchmarked.
The Government has considered the suite of supporting analysis and evidence presented within the GM CAP OBC in advance of issuing a Ministerial Direction requiring all ten of the Greater Manchester (GM) local authorities to implement a charging CAZ Class C across the region.