Public transport needs a multi-billion pound boost - and Greater Manchester should cover a quarter of the cost, report says - Manchester Evening News

Public transport needs a multi-billion pound boost - and Greater Manchester should cover a quarter of the cost, report saysThe report commissioned by the government says the lion's share of

£22bn should go towards transport in big cities like ManchesterCommentsNewsJoseph Timan Politics writer08:09, 18 Oct 2023A new London-style transport system known as the Bee Network launched

in Greater Manchester last month Greater Manchester should cover around a quarter of the costs of public transport upgrades over the next 30 years, a new report has recommended. The

government-commissioned report identifies the city-region as a priority area for £22bn of the investment required.

The National Infrastructure Assessment, which sets out the biggest priorities for the long-term future of the country's key networks, has made recommendations about energy, water and digital

connectivity. The latest five-yearly review published on Tuesday (October 18) also describes the decision earlier this month to cancel the Manchester leg of HS2 as 'leaving a major gap in

the UK's rail strategy'.

‌ It comes more than a year after Sir John Armitt, who chairs the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), visited Manchester as part of a nationwide tour meeting local leaders ahead of

writing this report. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, he said that Greater Manchester should not have to rely on 'handouts' from London, but rather raise money itself to fund some of

its investment plans.

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The new report names Greater Manchester as one of four city-regions that should get the lion's share of a £22bn boost for public transport. It notes that just 20 per cent of the 'urban'

population can reach the centre of the city by public transport within 30 minutes.

Article continues below This is worse than many European cities of a comparable size, according to the NIC. The assessment also found that the local public transport network is expected to

be overcapacity by an additional 10,000 passengers at peak times during the working week by 2055.

National Infrastructure Commission chair Sir John Armitt and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham met in Manchester city centre last year(Image: GMCA) The report argues that this expected

growth in demand is 'likely to justify investing in tram or rail based projects' with project planning to proceed 'as soon as possible'. However, the NIC suggests that the places benefitting

from this investment should pay for some it.

‌ The NIC recommends that city-regions should make a financial contribution of at least 15 to 25 per cent of capital costs. This money could be raised through a range of mechanisms such as

local areas retaining business rates revenue and a windfall tax on land values.

Earlier this year, Greater Manchester signed a new devolution deal in which the government allowed the city-region to keep more of the money it raises through business rates, as well as

giving local leaders more influence over transport, education and housing. But powers to introduce new local taxes which Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and others had asked for were

not granted.

Since then, Mr Burnham has launched the Bee Network, a new London-style public transport network which sees buses brought under public control for the first time in nearly 40 years. The

government has given the city-region more than £1bn to get it started.

‌ But the Labour mayor has called for subsidies for the day-to-day public transport costs to continue. The NIC report recommends that financial support for public transport stays in place

over the next to years as passenger numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels.

During this period, the government should look at the sustainability and resilience of current funding models with regional mayors , the report says. The report also recommends further

measures to reduce car journeys in large cities, particularly at peak times.

National Infrastructure Commission chair Sir John Armitt spoke to the M.E.N. in Manchester last year(Image: Kenny Brown)‌ The report suggests introducing a congestion charge or workplace

parking levy to raise funds and reduce car usage. However, speaking to the media ahead of the report being published, Sir John recognised that these schemes could be politically unpopular.

He said: "Growing the size and productivity of Greater Manchester will help rebalance the country’s economic geography as well as create more well paid jobs locally. Better public transport

and easing traffic congestion is key to that. Greater Manchester is one of four city regions with a clear case for significant government investment in a step change in transport capacity.

"While the way we travel around our big cities may change over time, keeping people moving affordably and efficiently is a key ingredient in economic growth and quality of life. Our

recommendations to government set out a costed programme for delivering cleaner, faster travel, shaped by local leaders."

Article continues below Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said: "I welcome the Commission’s latest assessment, which is a timely reminder of the need for a coherent, long-term investment

plan that is focused on delivering for our people, places and environment. If we are to deliver the revolution in transport, energy and housing that our residents deserve, then we need more

powers and funding to unlock our growth and to deliver a carbon neutral future. And it is good to hear the Commission once again advocating for both.

"The recommendations around capital and revenue funding support to improve public transport capacity in the North, but particularly in Greater Manchester, should be given serious

consideration by the government, if we truly want to deliver a fairer, greener and more connected country."