The 9 June announcement by Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly that the Government will support the introduction of congestion charging in Greater Manchester included some changes to the various elements of the ￡3billion total which can be invested in public transport, if the scheme goes ahead. The DfT has offered in the region of ￡1.5billion in grants, ￡300million more than expected, along with ￡100million from 'other sources' and up to ￡200million for extra heavy rail rolling stock. The ￡1.2billion balance is expected to come from borrowing against future income from the congestion charge over 30 years. The daily rate for cars is likely to be between ￡1 and ￡6 a day, depending on the type of journey, when it is introduced in 2013. The money will be additional to the ￡600million already promised for expansion of the Metrolink system and will enable the original 'Big Bang' expansion to Ashton, Oldham and Rochdale town centres, Manchester Airport, East Didsbury and the Trafford Centre to be delivered in full. However it is understood that plans for a Metrolink line into the centre of Stockport have now been abandoned. The ￡3billion will also enable eight new transport interchanges to be built and the introduction of an Oyster-type smartcard to cover travel on all forms of public transport.
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