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Congestion charge bid gets business support

06/06/2008

Several businesses in Greater Manchester have teamed up to support the city-region's congestion charge and transport funding bid.

The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities recently submitted the Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) bid to the government and a response is expected soon

Known as United City, the new alliance's members include Bruntwood, Urban Splash, Ask Developments, Piccadilly Partnership and City South Partnership.

United City believes the economic future of Greater Manchester depends on a "sustainable" road and public transport system.

Ken Knott, chief executive of Ask Developments, said: "Across the world, our major competitor cities, including New York, Singapore, Stockholm and Milan, are taking this issue seriously.

"We believe that a huge transformational investment in public transport is the only approach, followed by a charge targeting congestion when and where it occurs."

If ministers give the green light to the TIF bid, the government will provide £3 billion of funding, some of which will have to be repaid with congestion charge revenues.