Pollution up in Greater Manchester as bosses insist Clean Air Zone won't help

Air pollution has increased in parts of Greater Manchester - but transport bosses still insist that a Clean Air Zone is not necessary.

Plans to cut pollution through a Clean Air Zone, which would have seen some motorists charged a daily fee to drive on the region's roads, were dramatically paused in 2022 and remain 'under review'. Local leaders now say that no charges on motorists are needed.

Instead, they have put forward an alternative plan which involves spending £51m on new electric and cleaner diesel buses, reducing traffic around the city centre and offering grants for vehicle upgrades. They argue this will bring pollution down quicker than charges.

READ MORE: Greater Manchester could finally receive an answer about congestion zone left 'in limbo'

Transport bosses insist that air pollution is already falling in Greater Manchester. But last year, there were still 64 sites across the city-region where nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels were above legal limits last year - and in some cases, the level has increased since 2022.

Government data reveals that the highest level of NO2 recorded in Greater Manchester last year was higher than the year before, rising from 54 micrograms per cubic metre to 55. The legal limit in the UK, which the city-region must meet no later than 2026, is 40.

Meanwhile, the maximum level of NO2 recorded in other urban areas, including the West Midlands, London and Bristol, came down last year by up to 4 micrograms per cubic metre. All of these areas have introduced Clean Air Zones but remain above the legal limit.

Clean Cities UK campaigner Sarah Rowe said: “The latest government data is alarming but not surprising. Nitrogen dioxide - one of the most harmful pollutants - has increased in Greater Manchester but is falling in other major UK cities. While other cities have implemented a bold package of measures to address toxic air, Greater Manchester has failed to address the challenge holistically, with this data now showing the approach has been slow and ineffective. Manchester’s air quality is illegal, with NO2 levels well over five times higher than World Health Organization guidelines.

"The air that we breathe risks making us all sick, but especially those who are young, elderly, have existing health conditions or live in the most deprived neighbourhoods. The recent update to the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan stated that there was a gradual improvement to air quality in the city region, but this government data suggests that is a selective reading of the evidence at best.

"Given the recent announcement was to highlight further delays without any change of course, we urge the authority to see this data as a wake-up call to finally tackle the scourge of toxic air that harms our communities. The government should insist that the existing Clean Air Plan is expanded beyond the bus and taxi improvements to increase its impact.”

In September, transport bosses revealed that delays in upgrading bus depots and 'issues' with modelling under a previous plan mean it will take one year longer than expected to bring pollution below legal limits. All 10 councils in Greater Manchester were first instructed by the government to prepare a plan for a Clean Air Zone in 2019, with NO2 levels required to meet legal limits by no later than 2024.

But the date was subsequently pushed back following a public backlash to the Clean Air Zone. A new ministerial direction issued in February 2022 requires the 10 local authorities to comply with legal limits on air quality as soon as possible, and no later than 2026.

In an updated Clean Air Plan published in September 18, transport bosses argued that their 'investment-led' plan will allow the 10 councils to meet their legal obligations faster than charging motorists would. It comes as 64 of the 248 locations in Greater Manchester where NO2 levels are monitored were found to be above the legal limit last year with a further 78 'at risk of exceedance'.

Several exceedances were recorded in Manchester city centre and around the ring road. Many exceedances were also recorded near motorways such as in Prestwich, Ashton-under-Lyne, Denton, Stockport, Cheadle and Wythenshawe with a high number in Mottram.

There were also locations in Longsight, Levenshulme, Bolton and Bury where NO2 levels were found to be above legal limits last year. According to new modelling, there are 26 sites in the city-region where NO2 would remain above legal limits if no action was taken.

Most of these sites are in and around the city centre, with one near Bury town centre and another on the A6 corridor to Stockport.

However, air quality monitoring data within Greater Manchester shows that air pollution fell overall last year and is significantly lower than levels recorded before the pandemic. Five years ago, 129 locations were as recorded as having NO2 levels above legal limits.

A Clean Air GM spokesperson said: “Air pollution is falling in Greater Manchester and this is being driven by investment in the Bee Network, as well as the gradual transition to cleaner vehicles across the city-region.

“We recently submitted the updated Clean Air Plan to Government and remain committed to an investment-led, non-charging plan that continues to improve air quality without causing hardship to residents or businesses.

“Subject to government agreement, the proposed interventions to be introduced as part of the updated Clean Air Plan include cleaner buses, local traffic management measures and a fund to help upgrade taxis. The latest modelling has shown that all these measures will help to clean up the air faster than a charging Clean Air Zone.”

The government will make the final decision on Greater Manchester's Clean Air Plan - including whether there will be charges. This week, Labour mayor Andy Burnham said that he was 'hopeful to have news by the end of the year', and possibly later this month.