As regular London city motorists will know quite well, an LEZ (Low Emissions Zone) has been active in the capital for the last 15 years, with a ULEZ (Ultra-Low Emissions Zone) for the last four. In that time, London’s emission restrictions have gradually intensified in an effort to curb air pollution. Greater Manchester on the other hand, despite having the second-highest urban population in the UK, is yet to impose such a scheme.
Greater Manchester was destined for a Category C charging Clean Air Zone (CAZ) that spanned the breadth of the county, but in the aftermath of the pandemic, it was decided that an additional financial burden on the city’s residents would not be appropriate. On 30 May 2022, the government officially canned the initiative.
So, what does the future hold for Manchester’s air pollution? Read on to find out what plans are in place to curb emissions and what you should know as a motorist in the Greater Manchester area.
Manchester’s Clean Air Plan
Though the original plans to introduce a charging Clean Air Zone were scrapped, a coalition group of local authorities and Transport for Greater Manchester – known as Clean Air Greater Manchester– has been pushing an alternative solution.
In July 2022, 10 local authorities submitted a new Clean Air Plan for Greater Manchester to the government, offering up evidence in support of an investment-led approach to curb dangerous nitrogen oxide levels, rather than imposing a financial responsibility on its residents.
The plan proposed using £120 million of clean air funding from the government to deliver vehicle upgrades, targeting the most heavily polluting vehicles like buses and HGVs on the most polluted roads.
What’s the latest news?
Since the first evidence was submitted, Greater Manchester has continued to offer up new evidence in support of the plan to the government. On 20 December 2023, a number of new proposals for Manchester’s clean air zone were agreed upon by Greater Manchester’s Air Quality Administration Committee before submission to the government’s Joint Air Quality Unit.
The proposals advocate an £86.7m investment, split into smaller pots to target air quality in different ways, to meet legal limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) by 2025. The proposals include:
• A £51.2m investment into 64 zero-emissions electric buses and EV charging infrastructure at depots.
• A £30.5m fund to help upgrade every eligible hackney carriage and private hire vehicle licensed with a Greater Manchester authority to meet a new minimum emissions standard by 31 December 2025.
• A £5m investment into traffic flow measures to manage traffic in Manchester and Salford. By doing so, NO2 should fall to within the legal limit on Regent Road and Quay Street, according to local authorities.
The Bee Network
Amid the government’s ongoing review of Clean Air GM’s action plan, a new public transport scheme for Greater Manchester was launched in June 2023. Known as the Bee Network, the new initiative unites bus travel, tram travel, walking and cycling into one integrated system.
Upon its launch, the scheme brought the first buses back under public control outside of London since the deregulation of bus routes in the 1980s, promising a better service and cheaper fares. 50 new zero-emissions electric buses have already taken to the streets, with an additional 50 set to be up and running by March 2024.
The network is expected to become fully operational later this year, while commuter rail is expected to join the network by 2030, replicating a service similar to the London Overground.
Will there be charges?
Currently there are no charges in place. Greater Manchester is proposing an investment led approach and believe it will be quicker and more cost effective than imposing charging zones on the regional centre. However, it is for government to decide if they agree with this or require a charging clean air zone in central Manchester and Salford.
What does the future hold for cars in Manchester?
The government has tasked Greater Manchester with reducing NO2 levels as soon as possible but by 2026 at the latest. Despite changing landscapes, Clean Air Greater Manchester remains confident of the scheme’s success without the need to impose charges on motorists.
“Delivery of the transformational Bee Network and investment in zero-emission buses will contribute to a significant improvement in air quality, tackling not just nitrogen dioxide but other pollutants too. It will also support Greater Manchester’s ambitions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2038,” a Clean Air Greater Manchester spokesperson said.
“Greater Manchester’s 10 local authority leaders remain committed to an investment-led, non-charging GM Clean Air Plan and work is continuing to ensure that we deliver compliance with legal limits for nitrogen dioxide as soon as possible.”
ULEZ FAQs
What are Low Emission Zones?
Low Emission Zones (LEZs) are designated areas in which motorists are charged to drive unless their cars meet certain emission standards. LEZs are enforced to discourage people from driving in certain areas, thus limiting air pollution and protecting public health.
How do they work?
Rather than using traffic-slowing barriers or toll booths, low emission zones use cameras to identify number plates and then check them against a national database. If the car is found to be in breach of the emissions regulations of that low emission zone, the driver will be expected to pay the incurred charge. You can check whether your car complies with clean air regulations or pay LEZ charges on the government website.
What is an Ultra Low Emission Zone?
Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) take restrictions to the next level. A ULEZ was first introduced in London in April 2019, covering the same area as the congestion charge zone but affecting all vehicles that did not comply with Euro Four and Euro Six standards for petrol and diesel cars, rather than just heavy vehicles targeted in the LEZ.
Who is exempt from ULEZ?
There are specific exemptions for ULEZ’s. You’re automatically entitled to a national exemption, and do not have to pay if you have:
- a vehicle that’s ultra low emission
- a disabled passenger tax class vehicle
- a disabled tax class vehicle
- a military vehicle
- a historic vehicle
- certain types of agricultural vehicles
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