Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has set out the Greater Manchester Low-Emission Strategy, Air Quality Action Plan and Climate Change and Low-Emission Implementation Plan to improve air quality in the area, on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).
Collectively, the documents set out the actions and policies required to meet demanding environmental targets.
Measures include making more of the region’s buses environmentally friendly, exploring the feasibility of a Clean Air Zone, increasing the number of electric vehicle charging points, more cycling infrastructure, and supporting sustainability in the freight and logistics sector.
TfGM said it will ensure its bus priority programmes are conceived with air quality considerations prioritised. It also said vehicles will be retrofitted where appropriate and low emission vehicles will be trialled.
The aim is to reduce carbon levels in 2020 to 48% of what they were back in 1990.
Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester Mayor and GMCA lead member for transport, said: “Air quality and carbon emissions are two of the most important issues facing Greater Manchester, as there is strong evidence to suggest that they pose a significant risk to the environment and to public health.
“We’ve already made significant progress in reducing regional nitrogen dioxide and carbon emission levels, but more action is needed along with a collective commitment from a wide range of organisations, both public and private, if we are to meet tough targets and limits in the future.
“The Low-Emission Strategy and Air Quality Action Plan offer a sustainable, long-term approach to support Greater Manchester’s wider economic, social and environmental ambitions.”
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett, Chairman of the Low Carbon Hub, said: “These are exciting times for Greater Manchester, with increasing opportunities to shape our local future through devolution, achieve our local targets and meet our global commitments.
“The Government has committed to working with Greater Manchester to consider how the design and delivery of national policies and programmes can be better aligned and integrated to support delivery of the region’s low-carbon priorities, to protect and enhance the environmental quality and resilience of the conurbation.
“The Climate Change and Low-Emission Implementation Plan is integral to Greater Manchester’s success in achieving these challenging goals through realistic direction and joint action.”
