And the group, which includes household names like Harvey Nichols, Lookers, and Makro, is planning to make sure the matter is an issue in the local elections in May.
The Greater Manchester Momentum Group (GMMG), includes a number of high profile businesses like Trafford Centre owners Peel Holdings and Kellogg's together with the Federation of Small Businesses, The Forum of Private Business and the Road Haulage Association.
Among other members are Stockport cash and carry giants A G Parfett & Sons, Trafford Park hauliers AK Worthington Distribution, leading law firm Brabners Chaffe Street, top accountants Deloitte, brewers Joseph Holt, Hydes Brewery, Speedy Hire, Stax Trade Centres, Tyco Fire & Integrated Solutions, and Bury structural engineers William Hare.
Plans to introduce congestion charging in return for £3bn of public transport improvements have been put forward by the Association of Greater Manchester Councils to the government's Transport Innovation Fund.
But three of the 10 member authorities have already withdrawn their support.
Department for Transport officials will decide shortly whether to allow the plans to go ahead.
GMMG is looking at alternatives to road charging wants to meet with AGMA.
See our interactive traffic map and take part in our traffic survey here
Mark Lack, of Makro, said: "As a group we have a number of concerns about the TIF bid and the proposals which are currently on the table which we believe have the potential to do real damage to the economy of Greater Manchester.
"The Greater Manchester Momentum Group will be the voice of business on this issue and have come together to offer our expertise to AGMA and work with them to look at alternative strategies."
The group is demanding to see the detail of AGMA's assumptions and economic assertions before working with officials to look at alternatives.
Peel Holdings managing director Andrew Simpson said: "I accept something needs to be done about congestion and I have never said I object to the principle of road charging - but I do object to this scheme."
Paul Henly, north west policy manager for the Federation of Small Businesses, which has 10,000 members in Greater Manchester, said: "We are totally opposed to the current plans and the way in which they are funded. Congestion needs dealing with, but AGMA must engage with businesses. They may hope that this will slip under the radar when it comes to voting in May but we will make sure that it is an issue."
Coun Roger Jones, chairman of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority and one of the leaders of the bid, said: "We do not really have a scheme to promote yet, though we are hoping that something will happen soon.
"We will be happy to meet with anyone and our experience shows that once businesses understand the proposals properly, they tend to support us."
See our interactive traffic map and take part in our traffic survey here
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Kurt Stephens, Sale (14/02/2008 at 08:47)
It'll also be very interesting to see what the DfT agree with from the TIF proposals, which should be known in the next month or so now.
Simon B, www.manchestertolltax.com (14/02/2008 at 08:50)
Trudy, Bolton (14/02/2008 at 08:59)
Mark Spencer, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire. (14/02/2008 at 09:10)
"We will be happy to meet with anyone and our experience shows that once businesses understand the proposals properly, they tend to support us."
Something wrong there Roger! one of the two statements is obviously incorrect - as its is Valentines Day this may be appropriate: You have not got a proposal - so you cannot have an acceptance.
Kurt Stephens, Sale (14/02/2008 at 09:11)
There is often a call for these projects to be funded by the private sector.
Isn't it strange how quiet Peel are about funding the tram link that TIF would bring them.
Batfink, Manchester (14/02/2008 at 09:22)
paul teeque (14/02/2008 at 09:23)
AdrianR, Warrington (14/02/2008 at 09:33)
Chris, Irlam (14/02/2008 at 09:34)
"Coun Roger Jones, chairman of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority and one of the leaders of the bid, said: "We do not really have a scheme to promote yet, though we are hoping that something will happen soon.
"We will be happy to meet with anyone and our experience shows that once businesses understand the proposals properly, they tend to support us.""
Who is he trying to kid? What has he & the other pro-toll trolls been pushing for for the past 12 months then? Pie in the sky?
Someone needs a reality check pronto....
Nurse! The screens!
Stockport Dad, Heaton Mersey (14/02/2008 at 09:36)
Kurt Stevens, Sale (14/02/2008 at 09:41)
A damn sight more realistic than anything to come out of the people behind this TIF nonsense I'll wager.
Kurt Stevens, Sale (14/02/2008 at 09:43)
This will only get worse under TIF - NOT better!
lizziechick (14/02/2008 at 09:46)
Stockport Dad, Heaton Mersey (14/02/2008 at 09:50)
alvinlwh (14/02/2008 at 09:59)
alvinlwh (14/02/2008 at 10:00)
jomov, Manchester (14/02/2008 at 10:17)
I for one do not believe they will spend money on new buses and also think they should improve public transport with the money they already take off us.
I walk to work so this charge wouldn't affect me.
Harvey (14/02/2008 at 10:47)
Many of you on here believe the Peel's interest is only in the Trafford Centre. They own lots of land in the city centre and this proposed charge is putting off a number developments in the city. Businesses are choosing other parts of the North West and some other parts of teh country. Barclays pulled out of Spinningfields and those that moved into Spinningfields have left a dearth of empty offices elsewhere. Manchester has the highest percentage of empty office space in Europe.
The property market in the city centre is on it's knees - many flats in negative equity, average re-sale time 18 months.
I recently spent time working in the US and China. Please don't tell me that we have congestion and pollution in Manchester. Oh, apart from the bus station which is the most polluted place in the UK.
I notice over here that buses consistently drive through red lights and last night I was waiting to cross at the zebra crossing in Piccadilly Station nad seven buses went straight over it, not one giving way to pdestrians. It was a good job that I helf back the old lady who was about to cross.
Who wants to ride on a bus that is full of litter, foul mouthed sptting louts and vomit?
Mark Spencer, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire. (14/02/2008 at 10:49)
It is a proposed congestion charge, nowt to do with the air that we breathe. Red Ken in London started out on a congestion charge, this week he anounced that vehicles that knock out more than 228g/k will pay £25 a day if they venture into his thiefdom - the next step is to hit buildings with a tax -after all they are responsible for 78% of CO2. Lets not start on that track - your children deserve to have more money in their pockets than the councils coffers for an unnecessary burden on GreaterManclanders
jomov, Manchester (14/02/2008 at 10:55)
Have noticed the buses not caring whether a pedestrian is about to cross the zebra crossings, and as for the traffic lights...they rule the roads..or so they think!
Call me Dave, Manchester (14/02/2008 at 11:10)
The TIF scheme is an appalling policy, Starve the the country of investment for 10 years and then offer a fraction of the revenue motorists pay each year in tax in exchange for a new mobility tax.
New Labours war on mobility - Get them out
Harvey (14/02/2008 at 11:14)
PW, Manchester (14/02/2008 at 11:43)
Sid (14/02/2008 at 11:50)
If they don't have a scheme yet how can they be sure that they are right, it just proves that the whole thing is just a money grabbing excercise.
Snare Drum (Manchester Against Road Tolls), Ashton-under-Lyne (14/02/2008 at 11:51)