The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (Agma) has defended proposals to introduce a congestion charge in Manchester.

Sir Richard Leese, who is the deputy leader of Agma, said it would be very different to the charge placed on motorists entering central London

He was speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme after the government agreed to invest £3 billion in public transport, on the condition that a congestion charge is introduced from 2013.

"It is nothing like the London scheme at all; we are looking at two concentric rings around central Manchester, one about the M60 motorway ring, and the other the intermediate ring road," stated Sir Richard.

"This is a very time-specific scheme when congestion is happening. It is not an all-day scheme; it is not a weekend scheme."

He said that unless congestion is tackled it will "hit the economy" over the next decade.

Transport minister Rosie Winterton said the £3 billion represents around 30 years' worth of investment.