TRANSPORT Secretary Geoff Hoon suddenly has one and a half billion pounds to spend – and some of it should come to Merseyside.

That was the sum that was going to go to Greater Manchester to boost their public transport system, providing they accepted a congestion charge.

The rejection of the proposal was overwhelming. I should be surprised if any of the other cities contemplating a congestion charge now try to move in after Greater Manchester’s failure.

Apart from anything else, the failed Transport Innovation Fund bid cost £20m. Our passenger transport authority and councils have been wise not to go down that road on Merseyside.

So that leaves Mr Hoon with one and a half billion to spend – or does it?

The Government now has a number of options.

It could decide to return the money to central funds. After all, the Treasury is crying out for cash after spending enormous sums rescuing the banks. That would be unwelcome as far as our transport needs are concerned, but understandable.

What would be outrageous is if the money is used to meet the rising costs of transport schemes associated with the 2012 Olympics.

London has already been very generously treated in respect of 2012, not to mention the vastly expensive Crossrail scheme.

No, the money must be used to improve the transport infrastructure in the English regions, including Merseyside.

And, in timely fashion, our transport bosses have revived the Liverpool-Kirkby tram scheme.