GM air cleaner on average in 2024 than previous two years, claims CA
Last year, instances of illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide were down by almost half compared to 2023, according to data published by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
The GMCA has provided an update on Greater Manchester’s air quality two years after scrapping plans to make drivers of polluting vehicles pay to enter the city region.
In 2024, there were 38 instances of levels of nitrogen dioxide that exceeded the legal limit – 40 micrograms per cubic metre on average per year – across the 270 sites monitored. In total, 31 of these instances were in Manchester.
In addition, the GMCA’s data shows there were another 73 locations at risk of exceedance.
In 2023 the number of exceedances was 68 and in 2022 it was 95. The recent figures are a significant improvement on the 2019 data, which shows 129 exceedances. In 2018 the figure was much lower – 29 – but there were around 70% fewer monitoring locations that year.
At the time of writing, the GMCA has not made public data on how the city region performed against the short-term hourly limit – 200 micrograms per cubic metre – which government guidance sets out should not be exceeded more than 18 times in a calendar year.
The apparent improvement in air quality across Greater Manchester is being put down to investment in the Bee Network.
When plans for the charging zone were scrapped, the GMCA proposed an investment-led clean air strategy that focussed on making public transport greener.
It is this approach that is now bearing fruit, according to Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, Leader of Bury Council and clean air lead for Greater Manchester.
“We’ve always been focused on doing what’s right for Greater Manchester, and by accelerating investment in our public transport network, we’re showing that it’s possible to improve air quality faster than if a charging Clean Air Zone had been introduced.
“Investment in the Bee Network is enabling more people to choose cleaner, greener ways to get around – like public transport and walking or cycling – instead of driving.”
He added: “As we deliver our Clean Air Plan alongside the Bee Network, with support from the government, we’ll roll out the UK’s first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system by the end of the decade and improve the air we all breathe for generations to come.”
