January 27, 2025
Area Guide / Manchester
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In 2019, plans to introduce a ‘Clean Air Zone’ in Manchester were made, which would charge locals and visitors when driving in the city, in a bid to reduce emissions. Greater Manchester was due to get a ‘Class C’ charging Clean Air Zone (CAZ), meaning non-compliant buses, coaches and HGVs, taxis and private hire vehicles, and light goods vehicles would be included, but not cars.
However, the plans sparked significant backlash from local tradespeople and businesses. Combined with delays caused by the pandemic, the plans were paused and ultimately scrapped last week. Yet, reducing carbon emissions in the city remains a priority. So, what’s the new plan?
New buses and traffic-calming measures are set to improve air quality in the region, and will achieve compliance with legal limits faster than a charging CAZ. The £86 million scheme, proposed by local councils, was assessed by DEFRA and the Department for Transport, and concluded it would meet legal obligations.
The Investment Breakdown:
- £51.1m towards bus investment, including 40 zero-emission buses, 77 Euro VI standard buses, and charging infrastructure.
- £5m for local traffic management measures.
- £8m to support the transition of Greater Manchester’s taxi fleet to cleaner vehicles.
- Up to £21.9m for administration, delivery, monitoring, and associated costs.
Local leaders have also been authorised to review and cancel contracts related to the Clean Air Zone, such as signage and camera systems.
The UK has legally binding targets to reduce nitrogen dioxide concentrations to an average of no more than 40 micrograms per cubic metre. Local councils are tasked with meeting this goal quickly and effectively.
While regions like London and Birmingham chose to implement Clean Air Zones that charge individuals and businesses, Greater Manchester opted for a less divisive approach.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:
“We are grateful to this Government for listening to Greater Manchester and for this 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.
Because we have implemented the first phase of the Bee Network on time and on budget, the Government clearly trusts us to deliver and has seen the evidence that our approach is working. The Bee Network is cleaning up our air and keeping the cost of travel as low as possible. Its success is allowing us to remove a big weight of worry off the shoulders of people who need to drive as part of their job.
We are grateful to Steve Reed and Heidi Alexander for backing us with funding to take our approach further and faster. We will now continue to work towards an all-electric bus fleet whilst investing in local traffic measures and supporting our GM-licensed taxi drivers to upgrade to cleaner vehicles.”
This isn’t the first time Greater Manchester has decided against government plans for the benefit of the city and their people. When Keir Starmer confirmed that bus fare caps would rise 50%, from £2 to £3, in October last year, Andy Burnham managed to relieve this for the Northern city.
Public transport is at the centre of investment in Manchester – the Bee Network has had several millions of pounds worth of funding signed off recently. Funding from Greater Manchester’s £1.07 billion City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement and Transport Capital Programme is being used to develop the Bee Network and create an integrated transport system across buses, trams, trains, walking, and cycling.
Why Invest in Manchester Property?
The North West has become a hotspot for property investment, with Manchester leading the way. With Billions of pounds worth of regeneration and improvements set for the city, it’s a clear winner for investors.
Manchester faces a significant supply and demand imbalance, giving landlords opportunities to capitalise on tenant demand, strong rental yields, and substantial capital growth. New-build developments are helping to address the housing crisis, some with exactly what residents are looking for.
Get in touch with our team to find the best investment, or home, for you.
