Built environment and consultancy firm, Arup, has been appointed as lead advisor on the next stage of developing Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan
As lead advisor, Arup and partner AECOM will work with the 10 councils and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to develop a Full Business Case for a programme of measures for submission to central government by the end of 2019. The proposed interventions include the set-up of clean transport funds, establishing a Clean Air Plan Zone and investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Greater Manchester has recently set out its proposals to reduce harmful nitrogen dioxide (NO2) air pollution in the quickest and most effective way across the whole of the city-region.
The proposals, which cover all 10 Greater Manchester local authority areas, are designed to bring levels of NO2 emissions from road traffic to within legal limits by 2024.
The Full Business Case will build on an Outline Business Case submitted to government in March, refining details of proposed measures through further work to develop a more detailed understanding of the possible impact on Greater Manchester residents and businesses.
A public conversation on the proposals started earlier this month and will be followed by a formal consultation later in 2019, to give an opportunity for people to help shape the final proposals.
Dave Newton, director, Arup, said: “Poor air quality is the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK. With reports published on an almost daily basis giving worrying insights into the effects of air pollution on our health and environment, it’s impossible to ignore the fact that we must act to protect the future health of our towns and cities.
“Drawing on a breadth of technical expertise, we’re committed to working with Greater Manchester to improve its air quality, and in doing so, understand how we can achieve the city-region’s wider strategic goals to promote sustainability, inclusion and growth.”
Simon Warburton, transport strategy director, TfGM, said: “The Outline Case submitted to government set out a high-level package approach to tackle the urgent problem of air pollution across our city-region.
“There will now be a focus on the detailed design of this package, including the complex technical process to ensure we have the right measures for Greater Manchester.
“This will include wide-ranging engagement and formal consultation with all impacted groups, with feedback taken into consideration before proposals are resubmitted to local authorities for further consideration and approval.”
The ‘Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan to tackle nitrogen dioxide exceedances at the roadside’ is part of a national programme in which the UK government has instructed more than 60 local authorities nationally to tackle NO2 air pollution.
Subject to local authority and government approval, measures would be introduced in Greater Manchester by 2021.
