Warning for c-charge rebels

April 24, 2007

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Phil Woolas MP

COUNCIL chiefs in Greater Manchester who are blocking plans for local congestion charges have received a warning from the government.

Local government minister Phil Woolas, an Oldham MP, said that if the non-Labour councils of Rochdale, Stockport and Trafford didn't back down they would have to pay the price.

He said: "They not only risk the future plans to extend Metrolink, but also devolution of power to the regions. I would urge them to pull back from the brink.

"I understand why they are taking this attitude over opposing proposals for a pilot scheme of congestion charges in Greater Manchester in return for up to £2bn of improvements to public transport - they want to get votes in the local elections."

Local Labour leaders say that unless all 10 councils in Greater Manchester agree it is unlikely there will be any cash from the government to complete the Metrolink `big bang' extensions to the airport, Ashton Under Lyne and Oldham and Rochdale.

Flagship

Mr Woolas said the way the 10 councils in the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities worked was a flagship example for the rest of the country.

"If they throw it away they will be doing local residents a disservice," said Mr Woolas, clearly angry by the decision of the Liberal Democrat and Tory councils.

Stockport MP Mark Hunter suggested that Manchester should go ahead with its own plans to charge motorists coming into the city centre. But the minister made it clear that if the plans were wrecked it would not only be Metrolink that hit the buffers but also plans for `city regions'.

Mr Woolas said the government was considering plans for city regions, with an elected mayor and would hope to report back during the summer. The M.E.N reported last week how the congestion charging plans had been thrown into turmoil after the three councils withdrew their support.

Days later, the councils claimed they would not back congestion charging even if it meant abandoning plans to extend Metrolink.

Passenger Transport Authority chairman Roger Jones said a threatened no vote by three of the 10 could even lead to the break-up of AGMA.

What do you think of the congestion charge? Have your say.

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ace, manchester (24/04/2007 at 11:08)

the congestion charge is being imposed by "our" new controllers "Europe" Its yet another tax to keep the people down? We are being blackmailed by the government.The truth is the government have wasted money .hand over fist. and they want us to now pay yet even more for the metro (Stealth tax mad labour) they are the only party that tax the working man into submission .

Tony (24/04/2007 at 11:45)

Warning from the government eh!
Today a 'PayPoint' leaflet amongst other junk mail was put through my door informing me that I could pay all manner of bills at my local store.
And guess what, in that list of bills that I would be able to pay was the 'Congestion Charge'.
This government stinks to high heaven if you ask me so lets see how many Labour councillors we can put out of work on May 3rd.

ace, manchester (24/04/2007 at 11:53)

This lot of useless undemocratic politicians .Are already telling us we are getting this charge even if we vote against it.lets vote this lot of power mad politicians out of power .

Joey, Ashton under Lyne, (24/04/2007 at 11:59)

Dear Mr Woolas,

If 1600 people in Oldham East & Saddleworth who voted for you at the last election do not agree with you about the tax on personal mobility and vote agin you - You will be out of a job after the next election. AND RIGHTY SO!

Simon B, Warrington (24/04/2007 at 12:21)

Cheers for that info Tony

A 'PayPoint' leaflet amongst other junk mail was put through my door informing me that I could pay all manner of bills at my local store. And guess what, in that list of bills that I would be able to pay was the

Congestion Charge

No decision made.

Ron Silver (24/04/2007 at 21:30)

Typical Labour Bully Boy tactics. If you dont introduce the Congestion charge you get nothing from Central Government.

Bobby (24/04/2007 at 21:35)

What a load of rubbish,introduce the congestion charge of get nothing for the metrolink, what about the thousands who cannot use the metrolink for one reason or another.

Ken Neck, Droylsden (24/04/2007 at 22:51)

People on the whole don't give a monkeys about the environment or the frightening problems facing future generations. They want to sit, stressed out and agitated in their precious cars. They'd chose them over the metrolink any day. So although they might wine about it, they'll still pay the congestion charge so they can hang onto their status symbols.
If you're not happy about being charged for clogging up the roads and poisoning the air, why don't you get the bike out of the shed or catch a bus?
No? Thought not.
In my kingdom everyone would pay congestion charges, plus I'd charge heavily for second car tax as well.

Ms D, Manchester (25/04/2007 at 06:02)

So now nobody is allowed to disagree with the Goverment or they receive a warning ? Good for the three councils who are holding firm.

Ron Silver (25/04/2007 at 08:53)

What about the thousand who cannot use the Metrolink for one reason or another and do we really need it. If this Labour council did correct traffic management within the city centre then the problems would ease.

Dave Sherwood (25/04/2007 at 09:34)

More threats from the Masters,not everybody wants the metrolink.I live is Cadishead and it does not come this far, so I would have to pay £6.00 per day to get to work in Salford. The Buses are totally unreliable and are always missing, so I have to use a car and Its much cheaper.

Ed, Manchester (25/04/2007 at 12:50)

Thanks Ken Neck. Finally we see a sensible letter on this subject. It's obvious that the opponents for this charge are the motorists themselves, what is not obvious to them however is the impact they are having on both the climate and the community. Either that or they have a couldn't care less attitude. You all shout about public transport but lets face it how many of you have used it recently. I would guess not many. You can travel to the boundaries of Greater Manchester by bus for as little as Â£2.50 a day, ok it takes a little longer at present, so leave a little earlier. The implications of not bringing in the c-charge is that gradually every city in the UK will grind to a halt. All you are being asked to do is pay for the use of the system at peak times of the day. You pay extra on trains, planes and buses to travel at peak times don't you.

cLIFF (25/04/2007 at 14:17)

How nice that yet another 'local' representative forgets the people that vote for him. Have we had the chance to decide ourselves about this? If Manchester wants it, fine, but charges for moving outside city are insane. If it goes ahead I will no longer be able to afford the charges to travel to Leigh from Rochdale to work, so will either have to a) give up my job, b) drive illegally with false number plates (as huge amounts of people now do in London) or c) change jobs to the chav style warehouse ones that are the only ones to exist in Rochdale. Everybody MUST vote in May to show these arrogant overpaid politicians how out of touch with the real world they are.

Simon B, Warrington (25/04/2007 at 14:41)

If it was about the enviroment the C Charge would be limited to rush hour and strictly zoned, like starting at the bottom of Deansgate if you come off the A57 and enter Manchester City centre proper.

But it is not planned that way.

It is planned to be 24hours covering 100 percent of Greater Manchester within the M60, and some areas outside of it like Bolton, Rochdale, Wigan and Stockport.

Madness, sheer Madness.

Mattherw Wright (25/04/2007 at 15:11)

It hasnt worked in London has hardly cut any congestion and where it has it has had a detrimental effect on the economy. Another Politicians failure.

Jake Long, City Centre, Manchester (26/04/2007 at 11:40)

The police should be informed immediately so that they can conduct an investigatioin into this blackmail.

James Salmon (Salfordian) (26/04/2007 at 19:38)

"Passenger Transport Authority chairman Roger Jones said a threatened no vote by three of the 10 could even lead to the break-up of AGMA."
Oh what a crying shame.

Peter Sindle (26/04/2007 at 20:06)

The people of Gtr Manchester in a poll recently voted overwhelmingly to reject the congestion charge and the three councils are quite right to refuse to back what they cannot see in black and white,and because this Labour government cant get their own way they start their bullying tactics like spoilt children so I say use your votes and get the bully boys out.The only thing that Labour can think of is how to get tax from either green issues or the motorists because all the old ways have already been milked to death.What about all the road narrowing schemes that are taking place to cause congestion in an attempt to persuade us all that the situation is worse than it is.

PW, Manchester (27/04/2007 at 08:25)

Peter Sindle. Referring to your last sentence - how dare you give their game away!

ace, manchester (27/04/2007 at 11:33)

Tony Blair is to meet Polish leaders as part of efforts to break the deadlock over the European constitution.

This government would rather talk to foreign people ratherv than its own citizens?

duncan harris (27/04/2007 at 19:09)

Another example of democratic dictatorship from the Government.If you don't comply you're not having this,that, and the other! And Councillor Jones comment that AGMA may break up as a result of four boroughs rejecting the plans is absolute rot.
In a democratic society people DO disagree on certain issues and reject them accordingly,if that is what's required. Organisations don't simply cease to exist as a result of not everyone agreeing.
They are right in not backing congestion charging, as are 2/3 of the Greater Manchester public.
Before one single penny is extracted from motorists an extensive metro will have to be completed,covering every single borough and district with a station no more than a ten minute walk away for all of the near 3m people living within the conurbation,probably to the horror of relevant authorities.But this IS what will be required.Otherwise,congestion charging WILL be regarded as just another tax.

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