Greater Manchester has secured a landmark devolution agreement giving the combined authority full control over its local transport budget for the first time, including powers over bus franchising, tram expansion, and active travel infrastructure.

The deal, signed at a ceremony in Manchester Town Hall, transfers approximately £1.8 billion in annual transport spending from Whitehall to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. It is the most comprehensive transport devolution agreement outside London.

"This is about Manchester making Manchester's decisions," said the Mayor of Greater Manchester. "We know our communities, our commuters, and our congestion points better than anyone in Westminster."

The agreement has been welcomed by transport campaigners but criticised by some Conservative MPs who argue it creates a 'postcode lottery' in infrastructure investment and weakens national strategic planning.