UK

Clean air investment means no charges for Manchester drivers

The Government has accepted mayor Andy Burnham’s proposals for greater investment instead of a clean air charging zone in Greater Manchester.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said plans to invest more in his region’s buses were a ‘vote of confidence’ in his approach to cutting air pollution
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said plans to invest more in his region’s buses were a ‘vote of confidence’ in his approach to cutting air pollution (Andrew Milligan/PA)
By Christopher McKeon, PA Political Correspondent

Greater Manchester will not charge drivers for entering the city after the Government promised to invest £86 million in cleaning up the region’s air.

The investment, announced on Thursday, largely accepts proposals put forward by mayor Andy Burnham in 2023 as he sought to avoid introducing a clean air charging zone similar to London’s ultra-low emissions zone (Ulez).

It includes £51.1 million for new low and zero-emission buses, £5 million for traffic management measures and £8 million to help Manchester’s taxi drivers move to cleaner vehicles.

Welcoming the announcement, Mr Burnham said it was a “vote of confidence in our investment-led approach to cleaning up our air.

“This is the right decision for Greater Manchester and it gives people here the certainty they have long needed.”

Join the Irish News Whatsapp channel

Several local authorities have introduced charges for drivers as a way of cutting pollution and improving air quality in recent years, but the policy has proved controversial.

London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan’s decision to extend the Ulez to the whole of the capital was blamed for Labour’s defeat in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election in July 2023, and Mr Burnham paused his own plans to introduce a charging zone in February 2022 in the face of local opposition.

He abandoned those plans in December 2023, arguing he could meet his obligations to reduce nitrogen dioxide levels with an investment package.

Charging zones such as London’s Ulez have proved controversial
Charging zones such as London’s Ulez have proved controversial (Yui Mok/PA)

Mr Burnham credited the implementation of Manchester’s Bee Network of public transport “on time and on budget” with persuading ministers that he could deliver improvements to air quality without charging drivers.

Air quality minister Emma Hardy said: “To improve our health, wellbeing and the environment, we must improve our air quality.

“Local authorities know their communities well and so they need to develop plans that are most effective for their local area, and I am pleased that Greater Manchester has found a clear way to reduce emissions without the need to charge motorists.”

Local authorities are obliged to develop plans to reduce nitrogen dioxide levels, and the UK has a target of reaching an annual average concentration of no more than 40 micrograms per cubic metre.