Dermot Finch, Director Centre for Cities at ippr, said:

"The Government must respond positively to Eddington by devolving transport powers and funding to our biggest city-regions, outside of London.

"Cities are a key transport priority, and need more devolved control over their own transport networks. Places like Greater Birmingham and Greater Manchester should get control of their own transport budgets. Passenger Transport Authorities/Executives should be given similar powers to Transport for London. And our biggest city-regions should get control over their farebox income, to invest locally."

Notes to Editors

The Centre's City Leadership report (Feb 2006) recommended that Greater Manchester and Greater Birmingham should run their own transport budgets, and get control of Passenger Transport Authorities/Executives. This would require the Department for Transport to devolve £120 million to Greater Birmingham, and £67 million to Greater Manchester.

Transport agencies in Greater Manchester and Greater Birmingham need powers similar to those of Transport for London (TfL). This would give both city-regions control over rail, metro/trams, strategic roads, funding of local transport plans and bus regulation. They would also be able to retain and reinvest their own passenger fares in key transport priorities.

The Centre for Cities is based at ippr, the Institute for Public Policy Research. It focuses on the economic drivers behind urban growth and change in the UK.