GREATER Manchester is to get a whopping £116,676,000 to spend on transport in the region next year.

The cash for 2001/2002 is made up of £53,404,000 for major schemes, and £63,272,000 for general road and public transport improvements.

The money is a big increase, and will pay for a number of major improvements.

Among them are £5.5m for a new Urban Traffic Control System in Greater Manchester, and £25.9m for a new Leigh Guided Busway using a disused rail line and the A5060.

There is £7m for extra vehicles for the Manchester Metrolink.

Other major projects likely to be given the go ahead include improvement to the A57 Cadishead Way in Salford and the Wigan Integrated Transport Scheme. But ministers want more details before giving the final go ahead.

They have also indicated high levels of Government grants towards transport spending on local schemes for the coming four years. Local schemes approved include new car parks at Bolton and Westhoughton rail stations, new safe road routes to schools in Bolton, improved pedestrianisation measures in Bolton, and improved bus services between Rawtenstall and Bury.

Around half the cash had been previously allocated earlier this year in terms of maintenance and major projects, but today's announcement more than doubles the money available, not just for big schemes, but for dozens of minor improvements much needed and long awaited in Bolton, Bury ,and the rest of Greater Manchester.