The 'Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan to tackle nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exceedances' (GM Clean Air Plan) proposes a package of measures to significantly reduce NO2 emissions from the most polluting road vehicles, which are linked to a range of serious health problems and reduced life expectancy.
Poor air quality is the largest environmental public health issue facing the UK, with air pollution estimated to contribute to the equivalent of 1,200 deaths in Greater Manchester each year2.
Greater Manchester's proposals include a request to national government for a major package of funding to help clean up Greater Manchester's air while supporting businesses to upgrade vehicles and sustaining economic growth.
The proposed Clean Air Zone would be implemented from 2021 and would initially mean that buses, coaches, HGVs, taxis and private hire vehicles that do not meet emission standards would be required to pay a daily penalty to drive in Greater Manchester.
From 2023 the Clean Air Zone would also include non-compliant vans, minibuses, motorhomes and motorised horseboxes - when the availability of compliant vans on the market will make switching a viable option.
A final business case for the GM Clean Air Plan would be developed by the end of 2019, following public consultation, and subject to further local authority approvals.