In July 2019, Manchester City Council declared a climate emergency in response to rising carbon emissions.
At the time, plans were set to introduce a Category C Clean Air Zone (CAZ) on 30th May 2022, a move that would have placed daily charges on certain high-emission commercial vehicles travelling through Greater Manchester.
However, as of January 2025, these plans have officially been withdrawn. Instead, the government has approved an investment-led Clean Air Plan that focuses on improving air quality without introducing any daily charges.
Our guide has everything you need to know about this shift in strategy and what it means for drivers, businesses, and vehicle owners in Greater Manchester.
Originally, the Greater Manchester CAZ was designed to operate 24/7, 365 days a year, targeting high-emission commercial vehicles with daily charges to encourage a shift to cleaner alternatives, similar to zones in London and Birmingham.
It would have covered all ten local authorities in Greater Manchester, excluding motorways and trunk roads managed by National Highways.
But due to delays, public concern, and a shift in focus, the government and local authorities have now opted for a non-charging, investment-led plan.
We’ll walk you through:
Learn more:
Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan – GOV.UK
As of January 2025, there are no charges for driving any vehicle in Greater Manchester related to a Clean Air Zone. The previously proposed charges have been scrapped in favour of an investment-led plan focusing on improving air quality through other means.
The types of commercial vehicles that could be charged for travelling through the CAZ are:
It’s been decided that vehicles who are charged will pay via the government’s online portal.
If the charge isn’t paid, then a penalty charge notice of £120 will be added on top of this. However, this will reduce to £60 if the charge is paid within 14 days.
The previously proposed Clean Air Zone, which was to cover several areas in Greater Manchester, has been cancelled. Instead, the focus has shifted to implementing local traffic management measures and investing in cleaner public transport options across the region.
With the cancellation of the Clean Air Zone, exemptions are no longer applicable. All vehicles can operate in Greater Manchester without incurring CAZ-related charges.
There are currently no Clean Air Zone charges in Greater Manchester. The region has adopted an investment-led approach to improve air quality without imposing charges on drivers.
Greater Manchester has secured £86 million in government funding to support its investment-led Clean Air Plan, which replaces the original charging Clean Air Zone (CAZ). This funding includes:
These initiatives aim to improve air quality without introducing any daily charges or vehicle bans.
The original Financial Support Scheme (FSS) launched in 2022 for LGVs, HGVs, taxis, and motorcaravans is no longer active. These schemes were part of the previously planned charging CAZ, which has now been officially withdrawn.
If you’re a taxi driver, operator, or fleet owner, you may still be eligible for funding under the updated 2025 clean air measures.
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