Environmental problems Air quality

Action plan: what we are doing

Manchester is already tackling polluted air and working with partners and organisations across the city to drive improvements.

What we’ve done so far:

  • funding the free city centre bus, connecting transport hubs with work and shopping destinations
  • improved bus and cycle lanes along key commuter roads, creating safer cycle routes where cyclists are separated from traffic for the majority of the route
  • introduced 'bus gates' on Oxford Road and Portland Street, making travelling by bus, cycle and on foot easier and quicker
  • pedestrianised parts of Deansgate and the Northern Quarter and widened footpaths in the city centre making travelling on foot easier
  • improved vehicle flow in the city centre through improved traffic management
  • encouraged people to change their travel choices, to use public transport, walk or use their bikes more
  • promoted clean air initiatives such as Clean Air Day and anti-idling campaigning with schools
  • encouraged schools to take part in transport-related initiatives and events such as Walk to School Week and Bike Week
  • introduced requirement for all major developments to consider air quality impacts and mitigate where necessary, including travel plans and electric vehicle charge points

What we’re working on:

  • Helping develop a Greater Manchester-wide investment-led Clean Air Plan to tackle road-based air pollution
  • developing the Bee Network to make it safer, easier and more appealing to walk and cycle in the city
  • more air quality awareness programmes to encourage people to take action against air pollution
  • improving traffic flow to reduce congestion and idling on key routes into the city
  • working more with schools to support walking/cycling, anti-idling, and trialling ‘green screens’ around playgrounds
  • promoting the contribution of green infrastructure across the city
  • introducing tighter controls on taxi emissions
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