DEPARTMENT FOR
TRANSPORT News Release (088) issued by The Government News Network
on 9 June 2008
Greater Manchester
is set to benefit from a £2.8 billion funding package to deliver
major public transport improvements and tackle road congestion
Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly announced today.
Greater Manchester has been given the green light to proceed with
its bid to the Government's Transport Innovation Fund (TIF).
Their proposals combine unprecedented investment in public
transport with a local congestion charging scheme.
The package includes plans for up to 22 miles of extension to the
Metrolink tram, transformed bus services across Manchester,
including new, direct buses running from the north to the south of
the city and 120 extra yellow school buses. There will also be
major improvements to rail, including more carriages and seats,
the upgrade of 41 train stations, and the doubling of park and
ride provision on the rail and Metrolink networks.
To ensure that people have real choices over how and when they
travel, the majority of these improvements are planned to be
delivered before the introduction of the local congestion charge
in 2013. The charging scheme will operate only at peak times, when
congestion is at its worst.
Ruth Kelly said:
"This is about creating a world class transport system for a
world class city.
"Thriving cities are those where people have access to
education and jobs, and where businesses can flourish.
"Manchester's economic renaissance is a major British
success story. It is one of the fastest growing economies in the
UK, but congestion has become an increasing brake on its future
prosperity, with the potential to cost the city as many as one in
seven of future jobs.
"Today I applaud the ambition and vision of Greater
Manchester's councils. Their proposals will sustain the
region's growth, bring benefits to all those who live in the
area and enable Greater Manchester to compete with the best cities
across the world."
Greater Manchester's analysis shows the combined package of
investment in public transport and congestion charging would
deliver far greater benefits to the City region's economic
growth and quality of life than either investment or a charging
scheme alone.
Today's decision to award Programme Entry to Greater
Manchester's proposals means that the Government is prepared,
in principle, to invest £1.5bn in support of the package of
measures. The remaining investment will be funded by Greater
Manchester. The Manchester authorities will now work towards
'Conditional' and ultimately 'Full' approval
for their plans.
They will conduct a full public consultation on their proposals
to ensure that as many people as possible have the chance to have
their say. Subject to the outcome of the public consultation, we
expect an application for Conditional approval in the autumn.
The Government remains in discussion with other urban centres
where local leaders believe combining extra investment in public
transport with demand management schemes is the right solution,
and has made funding available to back other high quality proposals.
Notes to Editors
1. The £2.8bn package consists of £1.5bn from the Department for
Transport, £1.2bn from local contributions, £0.1bn local third
party contribution. This is over and above existing funding for
Greater Manchester.
2. Greater Manchester's proposed congestion charge is
designed around a 'twin cordon' system which will
operate at peak times only. Vehicles will be charged according to
their crossing of cordons. The scheme will use tag and beacon
technology supported by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR).
The scheme is proposed to go live in mid-2013. More details are
available at: http://www.gmfuturetransport.co.uk
3. Greater Manchester's TIF plans have now been given
Programme entry, which means that the Government supports the
package in principle and commits to working closely with
Manchester as it develops its proposals in the coming months.
4. The TIF package proposal is for:
* up to 22 miles of new lines to the Metrolink network -
attracting 27 million additional passengers and completing a total
network of 103km and 70 million passengers per year
* Significant expansion of capacity on local trains delivering
additional carriages for local services in Greater Manchester
* Improvements to 41 rail stations including CCTV coverage,
seats, shelters and better signing and information
* A robust and reliable bus network
* 120 new yellow school buses
* Eight new state-of-the-art interchanges
* Doubling of park and ride provision on rail/Metrolink networks
* Information displays at all major bus and train stations giving
passengers up to date information on when their bus or train will arrive.
* Improved roadside information for drivers, warning them of
accidents and delays
* Integrated ticketing arrangements, including smartcards
* Greater support to help people make better travel choices,
including more cycle lanes and secure parking for bikes.
Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport
Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk