Transport Innovation Fund

Tameside Executive Cabinet Decision

During the summer of 2008 residents and businesses of Greater Manchester were consulted about proposals to bring nearly £3bn of Transport Innovation Fund (TIF)  investment to Greater Manchester, to improve public transport, reduce congestion and help jobs and the economy grow. In December 2008 a second business poll took place and a public referendum was held.

Tameside Council voted to support the TIF bid in principle, provided that it met the following four tests:

1. There must be significant investment in public transport improvements including Metrolink , and enhanced capacity must be in place prior to introducing a charging scheme.
2. Measures must complement the competitiveness and inclusion priorities of the sub-region, and not undermine the competitiveness of the regional centre or the town centres in the area.
3. Measures must be accepted, not only by the public, but also by the business community.
4. Measures must be relevant to where congestion exists, or where it may emerge in the future, notwithstanding the advent of public transport improvements.

The results of the referendum were announced on 12 December, and the TIF proposals were rejected by residents. In Tameside 84% of those who took part voted ‘No’. (To see the full results please visit The TIF Returning Officer Results Page .)

At its meeting on 17 December 2008, Tameside's Executive Cabinet considered the results of the public referendum and the second business poll on TIF and agreed that the TIF proposals did not meet the third test (see above) for public and business acceptability. The Cabinet therefore agreed that the TIF proposals should not be taken any further. At the meeting it was also noted that the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) was proposing to carry out a review of Local Transport Plan priorities if the TIF proposals were rejected.

On 19 December 2008 the AGMA Executive Board agreed that the TIF proposals were not acceptable to the public or to the business community and therefore should not be taken any further.

A review of Local Transport Plan priorities for Greater Manchester is now to be carried out and reported back to the Executive Board at a later date.

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Transport Innovation Fund, Room 3.4 Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne Lancs OL6 6DL View local map
0161 342 8355