FUNDING of £120m has been secured to help upgrade vehicles in danger of falling foul of the new controversial Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone.

The green initiative is being launched next May and if the funding support package is approved, the cash will support HGVs in the first instance before being rolled to taxis, coaches, minibuses and light goods vehicle next January.

The 'clean air zone' is being introduced to tackle air pollution, which is said to contribute towards at least 1,200 deaths per year in the city-region.

The zone is set to be fully rolled out across Bolton and the rest of Greater Manchester from May 30 2022, with vans, buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles and lorries driving in Bolton which fail to meet emission standards to be affected by the plans and incur charges up to £60.

Greater Manchester Lead for Clean Air, Councillor Andrew Western, said: “The Clean Air Zone will be crucial in our wider plan to reduce vehicle emissions and clean up Greater Manchester’s air.

“We’re working hard to ensure we support as many affected vehicle owners as possible move to cleaner vehicles so they don’t have to pay a daily charge.

“The financial support scheme opens to HGVs in November, pending approval, and I’d encourage anyone who thinks they could be affected to apply early.

“Between now and then, vehicle owners can find out more at cleanairgm.com, where they can sign up for regular updates.”

Applications for HGV funding are proposed to open on November 30 to give those eligible and impacted by the zone the maximum amount of time to apply.

Funding for Greater Manchester-licensed Private Hire Vehicles and Hackney Carriages, coaches, minibuses and Light Goods Vehicles will launch at the end of January 2022, ahead of their inclusion in the Zone from 1 June 2023.

The Zone – which covers all ten Greater Manchester districts – will not include private cars, motorbikes and mopeds.

Bolton West MP has previously raised concerns around the plans to introduce the zone believing it may become a ‘London system’, similar to the ‘congestion charge’.

Residents still have until 13 October to give their views at cleanairgm.com/consultation.