A top government adviser has warned that Greater Manchester cannot rely on 'handouts' from London and must raise money itself to fund some of its plans. Sir John Armitt, who is the chairman of the UK's National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), made the comments in Manchester on Monday (June 13).
His trip to the city was the start of a nationwide tour meeting local leaders to inform his report on the country's infrastructure needs for the next 30 years. The commission has previously recommended government investment in public transport, inter-city rail links, the region's roads and flood defences.
This includes high speed rail links which have controversially been cut – although Sir John says the HS2 Golborne link is 'still up for discussion'. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the former railway industry executive said he has 'sympathy' with the region's calls for an underground station at Piccadilly, but said this would cost a lot of money.
