A POLL of Manchester businesses has found that more than half are in favour of congestion charging - as long as the scheme is linked to improvements in public transport.

A survey conducted by the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce found 53 per cent of respondents thought congestion charging was a `price worth paying' for clearer roads and a more efficient public transport system.

Only five per cent of the businesses backed the scheme `under any circumstances', while 42 per cent were `dead against' congestion charging.

The survey, which drew responses from 650 of the chamber's members, found 80 per cent of the businesses that responded relied on road use during charging times.

Meanwhile, two-thirds of bosses felt congestion had an adverse effect on their business, mostly because of increased costs, but also because employees got to work late and goods were harder to move around.

The survey revealed only a handful of businesses satisfied with public transport in Manchester. A huge 74 per cent said they were dissatisfied, while 19 per cent said they `never used it'.

Priority

The survey also found that congestion charging will affect massive numbers of employees, with 88 per cent using cars to get work. The biggest priority for businesses in improving public transport was extending the Metrolink tracks - with 69 per cent describing this as a `necessary improvement'.

A further 65 per cent considered greater reliability necessary, with 63 per cent calling for more services and 56 per cent for lower fares.

The Chamber of Commerce found 75 per cent of businesses were aware the proposed congestion charging scheme was part of a £3bn package of improvements to public transport, and 80 per cent believed the government would introduce a national road pricing scheme in the future.

Meanwhile, most bosses considered their knowledge of the Transport Innovation Fund and congestion charging proposals as `fair to middling', with only three per cent claiming `excellent' knowledge and 12 per cent claiming no knowledge.

The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities has pledged not to go ahead with congestion charging unless its bid passes four key tests, including being `acceptable' to both the public and businesses.

Angie Robinson, chief executive of Greater Manchester Chamber, said: "This is another important piece of information relating to the debate on congestion, public transport and congestion charging.

"We had a massive response to the survey. These results will now go to our Greater Manchester Chamber Council on August 1 for consideration and we will be commenting further after that meeting."

gmfuturetransport.co.uk