The Manchester Evening News are reporting that sources at the DfT have told them that a decision as to whether Greater Manchester will receive funding from the Transport Innovation Fund – which will enable Metrolink extensions to be built to Oldham and Rochdale town centres and to Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury, Manchester Airport and the Trafford Centre. Part of the TIF deal would involve the controversial congestion charge.
At the moment the congestion charge issue is dividing the councils who are part of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities. Under their rules at least seven of the ten members have to agree to the congestion charge for the bid to go ahead. Currently Trafford, Bury and Stockport do not agree to it and Bolton say they will hold a local referendum before deciding.
Competition for money through the TIF is only coming from Cambridgeshire with no other authorities in the UK daring to bid because of the congestion charging controversy.
The Manchester Evening News also report that discussions have been undertaken between Greater Manchester transport officials and the DfT going over the bid in fine detail. This may lead to either more or less of the sum that was originally requested.
A decision now looks likely on 15th May and if it is positive for Manchester (and officials at AGMA are apparently confident) a period of local consultation would follow before a final decision was made by the ten local authorities.
Source: Manchester Evening News