Revised Clean-Air Investment Plan Replaces Proposed Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone
The UK's transportation sector is set to gather at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London on 25 November 2025, for the fourth annual CiTTi Awards. This prestigious event will recognise and celebrate the strides made by various regions in improving their transportation systems, and this year, Greater Manchester will take centre stage.
Greater Manchester's commitment to reducing emissions has been commendable. In a bold move, the region has decided against implementing a Clean Air Zone (CAZ), instead opting to invest in a new fleet of 117 lower and zero-emission buses as part of a £86m scheme. This decision, initiated by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), marks a significant shift towards a cleaner and more sustainable transportation system.
The scheme includes £51.1m towards bus investment, with 40 zero-emission buses and 77 Euro VI standard buses set to hit the roads. Additionally, charging infrastructure will be installed to support these new buses. The scheme also extends to supporting Greater Manchester's taxi fleet, with £8 million allocated to help transition to cleaner vehicles.
Air pollution, a pressing issue that negatively impacts both human health and the environment, disproportionately affects low-income communities. By investing in cleaner transportation, Greater Manchester aims to address this issue and help reduce health and social inequalities.
Emma Hardy, the air quality minister, has commended Greater Manchester for finding a method to reduce emissions without charging motorists. This approach has been welcomed by taxi drivers in the region, who had previously opposed the CAZ due to fears of high, unfair costs.
In 2022, proposals for a Manchester CAZ were shelved due to local opposition. However, the region's commitment to emission reduction remains unwavering, as demonstrated by the implementation of the new bus fleet.
The £86m measures for the deployment of 117 low and zero-emission buses in Greater Manchester will be recognised and celebrated at the CiTTi Awards. For more information about the awards, visit www.cittiawards.co.uk.
The CiTTi Awards are an unmissable event for the UK's transportation sector, providing a platform to showcase innovative solutions and share best practices. Greater Manchester's approach to emission reduction is a testament to the sector's ability to adapt and innovate, and it serves as an inspiration for other regions to follow suit.
Read also:
- Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: BP Faces Record-Breaking Settlement - Dubbed 'Largest Environmental Fine Ever Imposed'
- Cars' Environmental Impact Explained
- Key Investment Trends in Ethical Finance in China 2025
- Proposal demanded for legislation aimed at shielding laborers from electronic equipment-related hazards, as per commission's responsibility.
