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Breaking news - Manchester secures transport funding
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AGMA wins TIF money but faces battles ahead
The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) is to receive £1.5bn from the government's Transport Innovation Fund, it was confirmed this afternoon. A total of £3bn, including loans borrowed against the proceeds of 30 years' of money raised by a specified congestion charging scheme, will be invested in a radical overhaul of the city region's public transport network. The finer details of the scheme will be announced following a 12-week consultation period that will start on 7 July. The announcement was made in the House of Commons by transport minister Ruth Kelly. AGMA simultaneously held a press conference at Rochdale Town Hall, addressed by AGMA chairman Lord Smith, Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese and transport minister Rosie Winterton.
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Time for business to have its say, claims Chamber
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce says businesses must be listened to as the details of congestion charging are hammered out. Richard Critchley, policy manager for transport at the Chamber, told Insider: "The TIF investment is very welcome as Greater Manchester businesses are suffering from congestion, but there are a lot of concerns about charging. Once we know more about pricing, exemptions and public transport improvements we will undertake, with full impartiality, the biggest survey yet on this subject, of over 10,000 businesses." 
Protest group calls for referendum
The Greater Manchester Momentum Group (GMMG), which includes Kellogg's, Unilever and Peel Holdings, has today called on Minister for Transport and Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly to press the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) for a public vote on congestion charging. Its spokesman, Kellogg's director Chris Wermann, said: "The congestion charge will cost ordinary people up to £100 every month simply to drive to work through the 100 square mile zone. Manchester will be a guinea pig for yet another unnecessary tax, making it harder to do business, create jobs and attract investment in the region, just as the economy is faltering. This is not the time for AGMA to take on £1.8bn of debt when there are real, cheaper alternatives to cut congestion. We believe everyone should have a right to vote on this critical issue and we will lobby hard to make this happen."
Think global, says support group
With the Greater Manchester Momentum Group mounting an aggressive campaign against the congestion charge, it's been only a matter of time before the TIF bid's advocates fought back. Drawing heavily on the property sector that Sir Howard Bernstein's Manchester City Council works so closely with, the United City group numbers 39 business, also including high street retailer Timpson and Brian Kennedy's Latium Group. Ken Knott, chief executive of Ask, one of the city's most prominent property developers, said: "Across the world, major cities including New York, Singapore, Stockholm and Milan are taking this issue seriously. We are looking ahead and being realistic and opportunistic. We believe that a huge transformational investment in public transport is the only approach, followed by a charge targeting congestion when and where it occurs, if Greater Manchester's recent economic success is to continue."
C-charge - another nail in Labour's coffin?
Rowdy backbencher Graham Stringer, leader of Manchester City Council for 12 years until 1996 and since then Labour MP for Blackley, has warned that Labour support in key marginal seats will suffer. He told the BBC yesterday: "For a Labour government you need an alliance not only of core Labour voters but of people who before 1997 in constituencies like Bury North and Bolton West didn't vote Labour. The congestion tax is another pressure. It is another wedge that will break that coalition."
Insider to chair hot debate
There will be a special Manchester Business programme on BBC Radio Manchester tonight from 6pm to 7pm, with a debate between leading opponent of the congestion charge, Andrew Simpson from Peel and Chris Oglesby from Bruntwood, who is in favour. The show will be presented by Steve Saul and Insider's Michael Taylor.
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