Funding will help Manchester HGV drivers upgrade their vehicles

A new financial support scheme will help HGV drivers retrofit their vehicles ahead of the upcoming Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone (CAZ). 

Under the upcoming Category C CAZ, which is due to launch on 30 May 2022, HGV drivers will have to pay a daily fee to drive into the zone. 

Thanks to a proposed financial support scheme, registered HGVs will be able to apply for funding from November 30 (if approved by the GM Air Quality Administration Committee next week). 

Around £8m will initially be made available to help affected HGV owners to upgrade or retrofit their vehicles. The first round of funding will aim to support smaller businesses, sole traders and the voluntary sector. 

Funding for licenced private hire vehicles, coaches, minibuses and light goods vehicles will also become available at the end of January 2022, ahead of their inclusion in the zone from June 2023.

Greater Manchester lead for clean air, Cllr Andrew Western, said: ‘The Clean Air Zone will be crucial in our wider plan to reduce vehicle emissions and clean up Greater Manchester’s air.

‘We’re working hard to ensure we support as many affected vehicle owners as possible move to cleaner vehicles so they don’t have to pay a daily charge.

‘The financial support scheme opens to HGVs in November, pending approval, and I’d encourage anyone who thinks they could be affected to apply early.

‘Between now and then, vehicle owners can find out more at cleanairgm.com, where they can sign up for regular updates.’

Residents in Greater Manchester still have until October 13 to give their views on two issues so that the ten Greater Manchester local authorities can decide if they are to be included in the final Clean Air Plan: 

• Including sections of the A575 and A580 at Worsley in the charging scheme.
• Including M1/ M1 SP vehicles with a body type of ‘motorcaravan’ within the charging scheme.

More information and a consultation questionnaire can be found at cleanairgm.com/consultation.

Photo Credit – Supplied