Press Releases
07 July 2008
TIF Package Public Consultation for Greater Manchester
A public consultation about the Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) package aimed at residents and businesses in Greater Manchester will be held throughout the summer, starting today. All Greater Manchester residents are being urged to find out what these proposals could mean for them and how it could alter the way in which they will travel in the future by visiting exhibitions, websites, calling a telephone helpline and reading information brochures.
A detailed consultation brochure will be sent to over 1.2m households and businesses across Greater Manchester over the next few weeks and GMPTE will run a series of events.
To ensure residents are kept fully informed about the TIF package, GMPTE has created a mobile exhibition that will be exhibiting up to 60 days, stopping at over 30 destinations in Greater Manchester.
Businesses are invited to a host of special events in Greater Manchester including meetings organised directly or in conjunction with groups such as the Chamber of Commerce as well as a dedicated website gmfuturetransport.co.uk/business where comments can be made.
Responses to the consultation will enable Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) to decide whether or not to proceed with the package for final Government approval.
A key element in the consultation process will be further independent research into public and business views about the TIF bid. The issue of a referendum will be dealt with by AGMA at the end of July.
A full report on the consultation findings will be published after it is complete and made available at libraries, at council offices and on the www.gmfuturetransport.com website. In addition, a summary will be sent to those who request it.
Lord Peter Smith, Leader of AGMA said: “AGMA is very interested to hear the views of local residents and businesses.
“As part of this consultation, we are holding exhibitions in each of the ten local authority areas of Greater Manchester to ensure that residents are kept fully up-to-date about the proposed transport improvements and congestion charging scheme.
“If people cannot get to the exhibition, we urge them to log on to our website www.gmfuturetransport.co.uk where they will be able to see additional information or they can also ring our free phone helpline with their questions.
“GMPTE is also interested in receiving views on the proposals from businesses in Greater Manchester, including the expected impact and how businesses would like the proposals to be implemented.”
A full list of dates where people can visit an exhibition are available at www.gmfuturetransport.com.
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
• Consultation starts of the 7th July until the 10th October
• Greater Manchester residents and businesses are encouraged to respond in one of the following ways
o Fill out the response form in the consultation brochure and return it in the freepost envelope
o Views can be given online at www.gmfuturetransport.com
o By letter (write to GM Future Transport Consultation, Ipsos MORI, Admail Freepost 4115, Manchester, M4 5ZZ.
o Via email at gmfuturetransport@ipsos-Mori.com
o By texting free at 60013. Simply text TIF plus a message
o The helpline number is 0800 234 6100
If a representative of an organisation or group email or write the views may be made public.
For further information contact:
Dan McMullan
T: 0161 817 4200
M: 07799 667 416
E: dan.mcmullan@connectpoint.co.uk
Sara Tomkins
T: 0161 817 4200
M: 07950 215 779
E: sara.tomkins@connectpoint.co.uk
