NEWS that Greater Manchester will receive more devolved powers from central government has been welcomed by Bolton politicians, business leaders and transport chiefs.

Julie Hilling, MP for Bolton West, welcomed the announcement but urged caution regarding any move that would give powers towards the new Mayor.

She said: “Anything that devolves power back towards the region is a good thing.

“Certainly across Greater Manchester people have much more idea on how money should be spent than they do down in Whitehall.

“As long as the power remains with the combined authority rather than with any individuals — I really dislike power being invested in any one individual, so we have to ensure it remains with the authorities and not with the figurehead.”

Bolton South East MP Yasmin Qureshi also supported more power being given to the region, but said the mayor would need a clearly defined role.

She said: “More power to local authorities is a good idea. I think they can have a better understanding of what part of the region needs more assistance, help with more job creation and deal with issues like unemployment."

David Crausby, MP for Bolton North East, said: “I’m not absolutely convinced as to what that devolution should be.

“I’ve never cared for Greater Manchester as an entity. I don’t see it as a real place and I fear it would be dominated by Manchester. I’m a Lancastrian, not a Mancunian.

“We should look really carefully and consult with the public before we let George Osborne start coming out with solution on the back of a fag packet, right before the general election.”

Cllr David Greenhalgh, leader of the Conservatives in Bolton, said the move would make it easier for Greater Manchester to be "in control of its own destiny".

He said: “We in Greater Manchester can make crucial decision about regeneration, transport infrastructure and business investment here, not in Westminster.

“I have always been against a regional assembly, and the concern for Bolton is that we will lose powers to Manchester, and we don’t want to lose that right to have a say.

“We don’t want to be a suburb of Manchester. Any model that is created needs to maintain our strong voice."

Chairman of Transport for Greater Manchester Cllr Andrew Fender said the plans would have huge implications for residents across the region.

He said: "This deal will allow us to move to a model of bus franchising, similar to the system used in London, providing us with the ability to set bus routes, frequencies and fares for the benefit of the people of Greater Manchester.

"The deal also unlocks access to very substantial amounts of transport funding �— providing more certainty and the ability to plan ahead."

Chris Fletcher, director of policy and communications at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said it was excellent that policy making for the region would be take place in the north.

He said: “For too long many businesses have been frustrated with decisions that impacted on them either being made remotely in Whitehall or locally, but with little if any input that reflected their views.

“Through work that the Chamber has pioneered with elements of the local skills budget, we have shown that by having the ability to respond to local conditions quickly and with minimal fuss real progress can be made.

“We obviously need to see the finer details to make sure there is a recognised role for business to play in this as well as look at how more of the allocated local budget, including a reformed model for business rates, could be transferred to local control, but it is obvious from the pace and scope of the announcement that this is not only a major change in policy and local governance, but also a major opportunity for Greater Manchester.

“We have to make sure that business responds and reacts to take advantage of this.”