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Manchester councils submit transport funding bid

01/08/2007

The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (Agma) has now submitted its bid for £3 billion of central government funding to finance the investment of the conurbation's public transport system.

Last week, eight out of the ten city-region councils voted in favour of applying for money from the transport innovation fund (Tif).

Agma is asking for £1.2 billion and permission to borrow a further £1.8 billion from Tif. The money will be spent on an extension to the Metrolink tram system and on better trains and buses.

City council leader Sir Richard Leese said: "We need to make this bid to the Tif to improve our roads and trams, get more control over buses and trains and improve life for everyone living and investing in our city-region."

Agma has said it intends to roll out a congestion charging scheme on the region's road network once the transport system has been overhauled and improved.

Under current proposals, peak-time drivers will pay £2 to enter the outer ring of Manchester, via the M60, and £1 to enter the city centre. Another £1 would be levied when leaving each of the congestion zones.

Agma has repeatedly argued that the region's congested roads need to be tackled as soon as possible if Greater Manchester is to narrow the economic gap with London and attract more jobs to the area.


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