Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she takes to coordinate policies with Greater Manchester local authorities and the Combined Authority to reduce air pollution emanating from the motorway system across Greater Manchester.

National Highways is responsible for addressing air quality on the Strategic Road Network. National Highways works closely with Greater Manchester authorities, and other local authorities, to reduce pollution. Following consultation which ran for 10 weeks until 6 June 2022, the Government intends to designate National Highways as a ‘relevant public authority’. This change will require National Highways to collaborate with local authorities to improve air quality – becoming an ‘air quality partner’ where locally relevant. National Highways publishes regular reports which are available at the National Highways Air Quality Reports webpage, setting out the steps they are taking. Greater Manchester authorities have also engaged with National Highways in the development of their plans for the reduction of Nitrogen Dioxide pollution. The Government is currently reviewing Greater Manchester authorities’ proposal and will respond in due course.