Burnham calls for more funding to decarbonise regional transport

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has said today that the city is ready to transition to a greener economy, but that further funding is required to modernise its transport system.

“We’re ready to go,” he told Sky News, referring to Greater Manchester’s plans to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2038.

He said the target was “tough but doable,” and could be achieved with better partnership from the government.

He welcomed the £1 billion set aside for Greater Manchester’s transport network in last week’s budget.

City regions outside of London received a combined £6.9 billion transport funding pledge.

However he said more funding was needed, referring to ongoing bids to decarbonise the Manchester bus fleet .

He said “When it’s cheaper to catch a plane than a train… We’re just not gonna be in the right place,” referring to the government’s announcement of cuts to domestic air duty tax.

Following two failed runs for the Labour Leadership in 2010 and 2015, Burnham became shadow Home Secretary under Jeremy Corbyn before resigning in 2016 to run for Mayor of Greater Manchester.

Burnham first won election as Greater Manchester Mayor in 2017, a position through which he has increased his national political status significantly.

He was re-elected in 2021 securing 67.3% of the vote.