Plans for a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in Greater Manchester, which would have seen drivers of older, more polluting vehicles charged daily to enter certain areas, have been scrapped. The government has instead committed £86 million to fund alternative measures to improve air quality in the region.
This decision follows significant public opposition to the proposed CAZ, which was due to come into effect in May 2022. The CAZ would have covered a significant portion of Greater Manchester, including Manchester city centre and parts of surrounding boroughs.
The £86 million investment will be used to:
- Fund the introduction of low and zero-emission buses.
- Provide grants to support taxi drivers in transitioning to electric vehicles.
- Implement a range of traffic measures, including potential speed limit reductions, to reduce emissions.
This decision aligns with the approach advocated by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who had previously opposed a CAZ, arguing that alternative measures could effectively address air quality concerns.
While other cities, such as Birmingham, Bristol, and Glasgow, have implemented similar charging zones, the Greater Manchester case demonstrates an alternative approach to improving air quality.
The government’s decision highlights the potential for alternative strategies to achieve air quality targets while minimising the impact on drivers.
Source: Daily Mail