Congestion deal vital to solve region’s transport problems – Andy Burnham

Metro Mayor Andy Burnham says a ‘congestion deal’ is vital to revolutionise the region’s transport system.

Speaking at last night’s Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce annual dinner, he set out his “big vision for business and industry” in Greater Manchester, with transport a key element.

This is part of his ‘local industrial strategy’, which he outlined last night and which he said will be signed off by next March.

He said: “By this time next year, I want us to have an ambitious and powerful new industrial strategy for Greater Manchester that we’ve all helped create and we’re all behind.

“But we need to be honest that it will only succeed if backed by a plan for productivity; a plan for skills; and a plan for transport.”

He said the best way to improve productivity is to encourage stable, fairly-paid work.

“On skills, we need to deliver a clear message to Government – we can’t have a strong local industrial strategy without a strong local plan for skills,” he said.

“We will not build a talent pipeline into the priority sectors of our economy unless we can work much more closely with our colleges, schools and employers.”

To this end, he said he wants to create a ‘UCAS-style’ system for apprentices, which gives young people wanting a technical education the same clear set of options as those on the academic route.

This will also require the involvement of business “to drive our education system in a way they have never had before,” he said.

But he insisted that the biggest challenge for the region, is transport.

He told guests: “You could argue that we are the victim of our own success.

“The economic growth of our city region is asking questions of the transport system it can’t answer.

“The biggest problem is this – it can’t integrate because all modes have different lines of accountability.”

He said his Mayoral Transport Board has helped bring together key players in the transport system, but it needs to go much further.

“We need a London-style system. It will be a long job but we’re going to get there.

“We have set up a 24/7 operational control room to monitor the transport system. Something we didn’t have before but which is crucial if we want to have a transport system fit for a leading global city.

“We have ordered 27 more trams and this weekend I will unveil plans for a zonal system like the London Underground, giving people more for their money, and contactless payment from January next year.”

But he added: “I need your help. I can’t tackle congestion with public money alone.

“That is why I have put forward a congestion deal – asking people to get behind it and be prepared to do what they can.

“We are looking at transport incentives to encourage businesses to offer people flexible start times.

“Half-term feels very different on our roads, but there is only an eight to 10% drop in traffic. That shows the difference small changes can make.”

He added: “We also need much better infrastructure, backed by Government investment.

“That is why we are arguing for high speed East-West rail links through the building of Northern Powerhouse Rail, linked to HS2 and with world-class stations at Manchester Airport and Piccadilly.”

He said: “You will hear more of this over the coming months as we use devolution to build the voice of the North.”

Next month Northern Leaders will meet to plan for a Convention for the North later this year: “This will bring political and business leaders together so that we can jointly make our case to Government,” he said.

And he urged: “Greater Manchester has a window of opportunity we will never get back.

“We can lead a new industrial revolution that, unlike the last, gives people back clean air to breathe, green spaces to enjoy, good jobs – a revolution which leaves no person or place behind.”

In her speech, Chamber president Jane Boardman also touched on skills, focusing on the launch of her Future of Skills 2028 campaign, which aims to equip young people with the right skills for the workplace of the future.

The dinner was held at Victoria Warehouse