MMU joins pro-TIF group United City

Manchester Metropolitan University, which has 34,000 students and 4,400 staff, has come out in favour of Greater Manchester's TIF proposals.

MMU has joined United City, the Greater Manchester alliance of businesses and organisations that supports the £3bn investment in the region's transport network.

United City now reached 160 members. MMU, based in the busy university campus area around Oxford Road, joins neighbours Central Manchester & Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust and the City South Partnership, which is responsible for the development of the district, in backing the proposals.

John Brooks, MMU vice chancellor, said: "Good transportation is the cornerstone of every successful city region – and Greater Manchester is no different. The TIF package would deliver significant transport improvements to each of our 10 districts, including fantastic improvements to and through the Oxford Road corridor.

"As one of the country's largest universities with thousands of staff and students making important journeys each day, we are committed to supporting sustainable travel plans – and we are unlikely to have an opportunity like this to revolutionise transport in our city region for decades to come. I hope that the residents of Manchester will support this transformational transport investment package and recognise that it is crucial to the future prosperity of our city region."

Ken Knott, chief executive of Ask Developments and founder member of United City, said: "Our membership continues to grow steadily as more and more businesses of all kinds recognise the fantastic opportunity that TIF presents. The vast public transport investment will be in place before any charging is introduced – and the package will deliver a huge financial boost to our regional economy, as well as creating thousands of medium- and long-term local jobs, at a crucial time in Greater Manchester's development as a world-class city region."