Road chiefs defy c-charge rebels

April 28, 2007

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TRANSPORT chiefs are pressing ahead with preparations for congestion charging in Greater Manchester, despite criticism from four rebel councils.

Bolton became the latest to withdraw support for the pay-as-you-drive scheme after Rochdale, Trafford and Stockport, the region's three non-Labour-run town halls.

The Tory and Lib-Dem opposition in Bolton joined forces to push through the motion.

The four councils accused transport bosses and the Labour-dominated Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) of holding back details about costs and exact charging locations until after the local elections next Thursday.

But at an AGMA meeting, bosses of all 10 Greater Manchester councils refused to bow to the pressure and collectively agreed a timetable to submit a £1.2bn Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) bid to the government to improve public transport.

AGMA said congestion charging would happen only when public transport was improved.

Meanwhile, the leader of Rochdale council has spoken out against Labour claims that he is threatening the Metrolink expansion by withdrawing his backing for congestion charging.

Lib-Dem Coun Alan Taylor was one of the three rebel council bosses who backed away from the pay-as-you-drive scheme.

This led to Rochdale's Labour leader Coun Alan Brett launching an attack on the Lib-Dems, saying they had `abandoned' hope of landing the Metrolink expansion in a bid to `score points ahead of the May 3 elections'.

Labour claims congestion charging is vital to secure government funding to expand the tram system.

Coun Taylor said: "We have withdrawn our support for congestion charging but not our support for transport improvements in Rochdale, including more control over our bus services and more trains into the borough.

"If we don't get this money, the blame will be squarely at the feet of Labour's transport bosses. They have made a pig's ear of this whole debate."

David Leather, interim chief executive of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, has agreed to stay on for another year to see through the plans to expand Metrolink.

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

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Brian ex Man Uni, Stockport / London (28/04/2007 at 07:22)

I often work in London and the Congestion Charge system there has not improved journey times, and delays are actually increasing.

There's a damning review on www.london-motoring.org.uk/lcctruth.htm - read it!

The government should stop blackmailing Gtr M/c people and just invest in the Metrolink system. Their are several useless projects like ID Cards that could be scrapped to pay for it.

Jake Long, City Centre, Manchester (28/04/2007 at 10:11)

The labour people say that abandoning the congestion charge is a point scoring exercise so that the opponents can score a few extra votes.

What this actually means is that labour realise that the congestion charge is totally against the will of the majority of voters but want to force it through regardless.

Time to end the socialist, authoritarian experiment. It has been a big massive failure.

Kurt Stephens, Sale (28/04/2007 at 11:33)

How is this in any way a shock?

The 'rebel' councils are unhappy with the manner they believe they have been treated by what they see as the Labour majority on the AGMA.

At no point have they suggested that they against the working on a scheme of congestion charging, and then seeing what the public / business reaction is to those proposals.

Be interesting to see if the DfT will accept a TiF bid after July - which I suspect they will be given how controversial the decision is.

Ms D, Manchester (28/04/2007 at 12:07)

Graham Stringer, the Blackley MP has voiced his opposition to congestion charges so wha aren't Manchester City Council listening ? Too late was the cry - I have used my postal vote to reflect my opposition to the congestion charges and I hope the councillors suffer for it in the polls. Now where is our public referendum ? We will not allow ourselves to be treated like sheep.

wkdboy1, Hyde (28/04/2007 at 13:15)

Road Congestion being the only way to expanding the tram system, what about all the tax people in greater man chester pay to this incompetent government, where does all that go, to pay for the Olympics, paying for the war, or does it get given to the EU for France. Try budgeting better and you can afford this tram extension, then see if we really need the congestion charge. But no, then they cant afford their posh fancy parties. isnt it sad.

Dave Pickup, none (28/04/2007 at 21:55)

What's up with you lot in England in general and Manchester in particular? The poll tax is reputed to have brought Maggie down but the introduction of the poll tax was tame compared to what is happening now. Maybe it is because the poll tax was fuelled by Labour who employed their fabled Rent-a-Mob!
Where is the mob now? Probably in government and councils!
Trouble is,there is no-one to vote for. Roll on the revolution; let's have Branson or Sugar and some professional people to run the country instead of rank amateurs.
Finally, has anyone a record of which MP's have a son or daughter serving in Iraq or Afghanistan?

PW, Manchester (29/04/2007 at 09:21)

This is the week folks. By not voting Labour (and I don't care who you vote for), you will teach all the political parties that the people still have the ultimate say. They think we are all mindless telly addicts caring more about Big Brother and X Factor etc. They actually consider you to be too apathetic to do anything. It's time we woke up to wake them up. Even Blair has admitted he was wrong to throw taxpayers' money at the UK's social problems. Show them we're not a bottomless pit of money for them to squander on their ill-thought out money-burning schemes and foreign wars. They've been in power too long, and have the arrogance that goes with that. I was a Labour supporter, but no longer.

mark h buckley (29/04/2007 at 18:03)

i am hoping that all labour councillors get a kicking at the polls next week for their sheer arrogance over the c-charging fiasco.
labour mps using this paper to bully voters is NOT on - are you listening mr woolas?. at the next general election i hope the voters in your constituency give you the boot.
i am glad that my local (trafford) has decided tio put the brakes on this scheme.

ace, manchester (30/04/2007 at 15:15)

As long as we have a labour council and that council is being backed by a labour government,we will not get a vote on anything that happens in the UK. this includes the congestion charge. vote them all out of power.

Philipac, Northenden Manchester (30/04/2007 at 17:24)

Will a few people follow the precedent that works (aka Martin Bell)! Stand at the next General Election in all Greater Manchester Labour Constituencies CAMPAIGNING ON A SINGLE ISSUE. Anti-Toll Tax.

Simon B, Warrington (01/05/2007 at 06:25)

Labour is still trying to bully us and the rebel councils.

come late Thursday evening on May 3rd I hope the vote turnout is large.

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