Greater Manchester to deliver carbon neutral transport network

Greater Manchester has set out a new ambition to become the first city-region to deliver a carbon neutral transport network.

Under the plans, the city region’s bus fleet will be 50 per cent electric by 2027 and 100 per cent electric within a decade, a move that would singlehandedly reduce carbon emissions by 1.1 million tonnes. Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Transport Commissioner Chris Boardman has also said that the Greater Manchester Ring and Ride fleet will also transition to zero emission technology by 2027.

Since Greater Manchester launched its ambitious active travel vision in June 2018, around £70 million worth of schemes have been completed or are under construction.

The city-region is also introducing the UK’s largest Clean Air Zone outside of London covering almost 1,300km2 and coming into effect in May 2022. The first fleet of Greater Manchester’s Bee Network cycle hire bikes - which will be one of the largest hire schemes outside London - will also be launched later this month and will be carbon neutral.

Burnham said: “Greater Manchester is already leading the way in transport decarbonisation through our light rail network, the largest in the country, that runs on 100 per cent renewable energy. Today we’re going one step further and setting out a new ambition to be the first UK city-region to deliver a carbon neutral transport network, including full electrification of our buses in the next decade.

“We’ve already started building the UK’s largest cycling and walking network, with £70 million worth of active travel schemes either completed or now under construction. This investment has helped enable thousands of people to change their daily lives; residents who’d previously not have considered walking or riding can now travel without cars for everyday trips in safety.

“The benefits of a carbon neutral transport network are huge – we'll be boosting our health and improving air quality, and at the same time creating better places to live. We’re ahead of the curve on Metrolink, now we need to apply that carbon neutral aim to everything we do.”