The Labour government has said that the borough councils of Greater Manchester will no longer be able to bid for Transport Infrastructure Fund (TIF) money – and so Westhoughton will lose out.

The news comes as a result of residents voting against plans for congestion charging. The government says they will not give TIF money to councils if they refuse to accept their widely unpopular congestion charging plans.

Ward councillor David Wilkinson said: “The TIF money has always been very useful for small improvement projects around the town, but now the government has taken this money away from us just because the people have told them what they think of their grand congestion charging ideas.”

Jackie Pearcey

Lib Dem Jackie Pearcey, who is campaigning for the Bolton West constituency, echoed the sentiments. She said: “This Labour Government spent years failing to allow the people of Greater Manchester to invest in our public transport and when money was promised, it came with a string attached which was not acceptable. In the meantime, millions have been spent in railway improvements in London and the South East.  The Government should allow us to spend our own money to improve our transport.”

Councils may still bid for funding – but their chances of success are minimal after this latest government blow.