GM CAZ (Clean Air Zone) Service

Government has instructed many local authorities across the UK to take quick action to reduce harmful Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) levels following the Secretary of State issuing a direction under the Environment Act 1995 to undertake feasibility studies to identify measures for reducing NO2 concentrations to within legal limit values in the “shortest possible time”. In Greater Manchester, the 10 local authorities, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) are working together to develop a Clean Air Plan to tackle NO2 Exceedances at the Roadside.
Transport for Greater Manchester ("TfGM") now wish to procure a GM CAZ Service Agreement which shall enable the operation of a category C Charging Clean Air Zone (GM CAZ) within the administrative boundary of the 10 Greater Manchester local Authorities, excluding the Strategic Road Network (SRN). The GM CAZ will apply to vehicles whose movement is detected within the zone and charges will be applied to certain categories of non-compliant vehicle not covered by an exemption as defined within the Clean Air Zone Framework and GM’s Clean Air Policy, the latter being subject to consultation. (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/863730/clean-air-zone-framework-feb2020.pdf)
GM anticipates that once implemented the GM CAZ will remain in full operation until at least the second half of 2026. If it is demonstrated by the second half of 2026 that two consecutive years’ of compliance with Legal Limit value for NO2 and there is confidence that compliance will continue to be maintained then the GM authorities can together seek the agreement of the Secretary of State to suspend the Charging Scheme Order and commence the decommissioning of the GM CAZ.
The GM CAZ Service Agreement will enable the GM CAZ by providing:
· Vehicle Detection and Processing Service: to comprise the design, sourcing, installation, configuration and commissioning of an assortment of devices including both fixed and mobile automatic number plate recognition ("ANPR") and other cameras, controllers and data connections ("Field Equipment") at TfGM’s designated site locations so that they may be operated and maintained to support the GM Clean Air Scheme. The service will include any required communications network connectivity that may be required to securely connect the Field Equipment to the other services that are supplied under the agreement.
· CAZ Office Service: to comprise a service that will (i) enable the application and operation of the GM CAZ Scheme business rules and (ii) the integration of the Vehicle Detection and Processing Service and the Field Equipment and Penalty Enforcement Service with the vehicle compliance checker, customer payment portal and centralised vehicle database (which are being made available by JAQU to enable the operation of all Clean Air Zones and (iii) subject to further discussion the provision of a merchant acquirer service; (all of which will enable the collection of all GM CAZ Scheme charges and revenue);
· Penalty Enforcement Service; to comprise the implementation, configuration, testing and operation of a service to enable the compliant issuance and administration of Penalty Charge Notices ("PCNs") and the case management of any outstanding fines, penalties and any charges in connection with the GM CAZ Scheme;
· Operation and Maintenance; to support robust preventative and reactive maintenance to ensure continued operation of the GM CAZ Service and Field Equipment;
· Future-Proofing; services to provide innovation and continuous improvement that may (i) enhance and/or expand the use of the Field Equipment and services and/or (ii) repurpose the operation of the Field Equipment and services to support other uses in addition to the GM CAZ Scheme; and
· Decommission some or all of the Field Equipment once it is no longer required in connection with the GM CAZ Scheme if the same has no viable alternative use at the locations at which it has been installed.
In addition, the GM CAZ Service Agreement will enable TfGM to use the Field Equipment and some or all of the related services as a source of supply for other non GM CAZ related ANPR requirements.