Manchester Clean Air Zone: Andy Burnham's Bee Network plan explained with proposal to be put to Government

Greater Manchester can implement a Clean Air Zone faster without charging drivers - that’s the message from Andy Burnham. 

The Mayor has unveiled a new plan that would see an £86.7million investment in the Bee Network, taxi upgrades and traffic flow measures nearly two years on from the controversial eco-scheme being paused.  It would ultimately be up to the Government whether they approve the plans put forward by the Greater Manchester Air Quality Administration Committee.

It was back in February 2022 when the first CAZ proposals were scrapped after a huge public outcry. Buses, HGVs and coaches that were not compliant were initially due to face daily charges of £60. LGVs and minibuses would have paid £10 a day with taxis and private hire vehicles facing charges of £7.50 a day. 

That is all now set to change though, as outlined by Andy Burnham and Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council and Clean Air lead for Greater Manchester on Wednesday morning.

What is the new Clean Air Zone proposal for Greater Manchester? 

Greater Manchester’s proposal includes a £51.2m investment in 64 zero-emission electric buses for the Bee Network, £30.5m to fund grants for cleaner taxis, and £5m for measures to manage traffic flow on some roads in the centre of Manchester and Salford.

It would mean no vehicle would be charged to drive in a Clean Air Zone in Greater Manchester. According to Wednesday’s presentation, modelling shows this would bring air quality within legal limits for nitrogen dioxide on local roads in 2025. Modelling of a charging Clean Air Zone in the centre of Manchester and Salford however shows it would not achieve compliance by 2026, failing to meet the Government’s own compliance date.

What has Andy Burnham said? 

“Cleaning up the air that people breathe is a priority for Greater Manchester and we have already started to do that through investment in the Bee Network, which saw the first buses brought back under local control in September. By accelerating investment in the Bee Network to create a London-style integrated public transport network, and upgrading GM-licensed taxis, we can improve air quality faster than if we introduced a Clean Air Zone, and without causing hardship to our residents or businesses.

“Since the first bus services came under local control, we have listened to feedback to make improvements and deliver change and are already seeing the benefits the Bee Network brings, with more people getting on board with lower fares under a locally controlled service, with new, state-of-the-art electric buses. I’d also ask government to urgently consider allowing Greater Manchester local authorities to remove charging Clean Air Zone signs, as modelling shows that only Greater Manchester’s investment-led plan can meet the legal test placed on the 10 councils to deliver compliance in the shortest possible time and by 2026 at the latest.”

Why is there a need for a Clean Air Zone? 

Greater Manchester’s 10 local authorities have been legally directed by the Government to bring nitrogen dioxide within legal limits as soon as possible and by 2026 at the latest.

What happens next with the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone? 

Details of the plans will be published this week in a report to the Greater Manchester Air Quality Administration Committee. The committee will be asked to approve the submission of Greater Manchester’s evidence to the Government when it meets on 20 December. It is for Government to decide the measures that get the green light – Greater Manchester’s preferred investment-led, non-charging plan, or a charging Clean Air Zone. Once there has been feedback from the Government on the plan, then it can proceed to public consultation.