Withington MP - Government should free up Manchester's transport millions

9.17.29am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 28th Apr 2009

Lib Dem Transport Spokesman, John Leech, has renewed calls in Parliament for the government to free up the £1 billion that has gone unspent following the failed congestion charge bid in Manchester.

Speaking in a debate on transport in the North West, Mr Leech, MP for Manchester Withington, argued that the money could be used to kick-start the local economy and provide a much-needed boost to Greater Manchester's transport system.

John Leech said,

"There are schemes in Greater Manchester that are ready to go now if the government would just free up the cash that they were willing to offer before the collapse of the congestion charge bid. Unfortunately, though, it seems more likely that the money will be unspent and will find its way back into the Treasury coffers."

"This money could provide a welcome boost to the region. It would create jobs and could go some way to promoting a greener, more sustainable transport infrastructure. The problem is that following the 'no' vote, no-one is prepared to put in a bid that includes congestion charging, which is understandable in the current economic climate. The government should therefore do the decent thing and release the money that it had earmarked for Manchester in the first place."

<ENDS>

Notes to editors:

1. For a transcript of the debate, see http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090421/halltext/90421h0004.htm#090421100000002