GM is taking action to improve air quality, now and for future generations. Pollution from road traffic is linked to a wide range of serious illnesses and conditions. It contributes to the equivalent of around 1,200 premature deaths a year in GM alone.
As air pollution does not respect geographic boundaries, the ten GM local authorities (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Trafford, Tameside, Wigan) the GM Clean Air Plan looks to improve air quality in GM. This co-ordinated approach is seen as the most effective way to deal with a problem that affects all parts of GM and will not be remedied on a site-by-site or district-by district basis. The GM CAP is being co-ordinated on behalf of the ten GM local authorities by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).
The core aim of the GM CAP is to reduce concentrations of NO2, which have been forecast to exceed the legal limits, “in the shortest possible time and by 2024 at the latest” in line with Government’s direction to the GM local authorities.
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/3582578
Following an eight-week statutory consultation on the GM CAP proposals in 2020, the ten GM local authorities finalised their plan, with funding for non-compliant vehicles to upgrade available for residents and businesses in GM to apply for from November 2021 or January 2022 (depending on the vehicle type) and a ‘Category C’ GM-wide Clean Air Zone anticipated to launch on 30 May 2022. The consultation findings and final plan report can be found here: www.cleanairgm.com/technical-documents
Analysis of GM’s air quality has shown that short term improvements in air quality during the pandemic will not be enough to meet legal limits for harmful NO2 emissions in the longer term without a Clean Air Zone.
The final plan takes into account the impact of the pandemic on GM businesses who need support to upgrade their vehicles, while making sure that the city-region improves its air quality in the shortest possible time.