Plans for a clean air zone (CAZ) in Greater Manchester have been delayed again, after buses failed to cut expected emissions. 

1,150 of the regions 2,063 buses were modified to reduce emissions, at a cost of £15 million. However, it has emerged that the modified diesel vehicles may not cut levels of Nitrogen Oxide as much as they were claimed to.

As a result, the government has paused the rollout of the CAZ whilst it conducts a review of the retrofitted buses. 

The delay has been described by transport bosses as 'disappointing', 'farcical', and 'deeply frustrating'. 

There is question over whether councils will be able to claw back any of the millions spent in taxpayer money if the review finds retrofits to be ineffective, the Local Democracy Reporting Service. 

Cllr Mark Roberts, deputy leader of Stockport Council, said: "It is incredibly frustrating that the government dropped this bombshell on buses like they have. It was a government recommended scheme for retrofit. 

"It is deeply frustrating we find ourselves where we are with it. One concern for me in terms of timelines – what can we do whilst we are waiting for this to come back?"

The controversial CAZ scheme would cost taxis, vans, buses, coaches and lorries which do not meet emissions standards up to £60 a day for driving on any of Greater Manchester's roads except for motorways. 

After public backlash, the plan was paused to account for the significantly increased cost of new, less pollutive vehicles due to the pandemic.

The deadline for Greater Manchester to comply with legal air quality limits is no later than 2026. If the legal limits are not met by then, the 10 councils in the region - including Stockport - could be taken to court.

Greater Manchester says it is still committed to an investment-led approach which would offer cash for cleaner vehicles rather than introducing charges.

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