The leaders of Greater Manchester’s 10 district councils are to consider handing over their highways powers to the passenger transport authority.
Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, like England’s five other PTAs, has been given powers by the Local Transport Act to become an ‘integrated transport authority’ with a new set of rights to control aspects of transport.
As well as taking the lead on Local Transport Plans, the PTAs can, in consultation with local councils, extend their influence over the highway network and extend their powers over the local heavy rail network.They can also set up statutory quality partnerships with bus companies which can include maximum fares, frequencies and timings.
The council leaders will discuss the highways powers at the next meeting of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities in Bolton on 27 February.
The body’s deputy chairman, Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese, said: ‘We have got to decide if we would be happy if the highways powers we currently hold are taken over by an integrated transport authority. ‘I am not saying that I support the idea but we have got to decide and to have a look at any other options.’
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