Manchester to press on with innovation fund bid despite protest

03 May 2007

Greater Manchester leaders pressed ahead with their transport innovation fund bid this week, despite protests from four of the conurbation’s 10 authorities that the process was not transparent.
The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities’ executive agreed a timetable for a £1.2bn TIF bid as part of a £3bn package for transport, after the 10 council leaders were promised full public consultation would take place prior to the planned July submission.
Rochdale, Stockport, Trafford and, most recently, Bolton councils had agreed to oppose the scheme, fearing there would be insufficient time for residents and businesses to be consulted on the details.
But the Liberal Democrat, Conservative and minority Labour-led councils were described as ‘politicking’ before this week’s local elections by observers – publicly crying fowl but nonetheless, continuing to support the process.
The £3bn package of transport improvements outlined to the AGMA meeting might also explain the unanimous backing from the 10 council leaders. This includes: the proposed three-line Metrolink tram extensions, a 500-vehicle expansion to the conurbation’s bus fleet; bigger, better trains for the Northwest and expansion of Manchester Victoria; US-style yellow school buses; and new or improved transport interchanges for centres such as Rochdale, Stockport and Bolton.
The proposed upgrades to Manchester’s transport system, the current basis of discussions with Department for Transport officials over the bid, are more extensive than the £1bn package outlined to AGMA in January, when the leaders agreed that a bid should be worked up. About £1.2bn would come from TIF money – expected to be worth £10bn by 2014 – with the remainder coming from private investment or borrowing approvals.
A report to AGMA later this month will set out details of the planned public consultation.

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Manchester to press on with innovation fund bid despite protest

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