A WAR of words erupted today over a controversial survey showing a massive business backlash against plans for congestion charging in Greater Manchester.
The poll of 1,246 companies, commissioned by Peel Holdings, showed 80 per cent would vote against the proposal if given the chance in a referendum.
Further findings - revealed by the M.E.N. today - include:
: 38 per cent of businesses would consider moving out of the proposed charging zone if road pricing went ahead
: 78 per cent believed it would harm businesses compared with the rest of the country
: 58 per cent said it would have a "negative" effect on their profitability
But the survey was subject to a furious attack from Roger Jones, chairman of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA), who said he had "nothing but contempt" for Peel's intentions, accusing them of "trying to con" the public. Peel, one of the biggest companies in Greater Manchester, are vocal opponents of plans to charge peak-hour motorists up to £5 a day in return for £3bn of public transport improvements.
Disingenuous
The boss of one of the region's most influential developers joined the fray last night, saying the poll "trivialised" the congestion charge debate and was "disingenuous". Ken Knott, chief executive of Ask Property Development - the company that regenerated Central Park, the Malmaison hotel and Deansgate Locks - said he was "minded to support" the charge.
"People should not be influenced by polls which have no basis in reality, are skewed towards sectional interests and serve only to meet the interests of those who want everyone to carry on driving, no matter what the cost to our businesses, environment and health," he added.
Critics of the poll point out that respondents - who included 504 business leaders from Trafford, 320 from Manchester and 422 from neighbouring boroughs - were not asked whether they would accept the charge in return the £3bn of improvements. Coun Jones has pledged that without the money, the charge will not go ahead. Ministers have made it plain that without the charge, Greater Manchester will not get the money.
The independent research company that carried out the poll said Coun Jones had been "completely wrong" to "cast aspersions".
"All the businesses that were surveyed were fully briefed on the proposed public transport improvements before they were interviewed, said Richard Barron, managing director of Aspect Market Research. "Coun Jones is trying to distract attention from the key finding - that business is overwhelmingly against the proposed tax."
Andrew Simpson, managing director of Peel Holdings said: "Elected representatives could better spend their time listening to the breadth of local opinion rather than attempting to rubbish anyone who dares to disagree with their pet political project.
"Coun Jones is attempting to shoot the messenger because he doesn't like what people are telling him."
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PW, Manchester (22/06/2007 at 07:52)
dessie, manchester (22/06/2007 at 08:20)
Manchester Against Road Tolls (22/06/2007 at 08:21)
The authorities know that most businesses are opposed to road charges, as the businesses believe that road charges will harm the local economy.
Businesses want a better transport system, but an expensive tolls system that will rely on surveillance cameras and drive people and business away is not the way to pay for it.
The authorities should stop going through their phoney "consultation" exercise, and abandon their so called "independent" panel. Best of all they should forget this idea now, instead of trying to force it through undemocratically.
dessie, manchester (22/06/2007 at 08:22)
Dave Sherwood, Hollins Green (22/06/2007 at 08:26)
Ron Silver (22/06/2007 at 08:32)
Chris, Irlam (22/06/2007 at 08:37)
Technobabble, Manchester (22/06/2007 at 09:32)
And to think there are some posters out there who wonder why most of us, the great unwashed, do not trust politicians, collectively or singularly. Peel holdings have been deliberately excluded from Roger Jones' little policy-making club, and now there are moans that they are being "disingenuous"? How is the poll they commissioned any less representative than the 1000 person telephone "consultation" we apparently had?
Batfink, Manchester (22/06/2007 at 09:40)
Dave (22/06/2007 at 11:21)
b) Why on earth do you think the council want to introduce this unless it is for the benefit of the region?
c) Why do people think that there should be a referendum? Politics does not work like that - there was no referendum on Iraq War, Trident, Motorway improvements, so why now? We just had local elections where Labour was voted in by huge majority in most boroughs.
Chris, Irlam (22/06/2007 at 11:32)
Businesses oppose it as they will lose vast amounts of money because of it.
A referendum was good enough for the people of Edinburgh - why are we not worth an opinion here in Manchester?
And remember - one of the conditions of acceptance & implementation of these proposals is SUPPOSED to be the backing of the public & businesses - and what is the best way to find that out....a referendum of course!
How can people be consulted if they are not asked?
Angry of New Moston, New Moston (22/06/2007 at 11:46)
That was my point the other week. That is how local democracy works. If governments, councils etc have to have a referendum every time a decison is required, what's the point in us voting them in (or out). Hopefully, all the sheep who voted labour again will think before they scribble their cross next time. I think the BNP are against the C Charge.
Simon B (22/06/2007 at 11:58)
Why are they currently refusing the people of Greater Manchester the same thing?
Oh and Angry of New Moston, thats a very cheap disgusting shot.
Simon B, none (22/06/2007 at 12:06)
www.theboltonnews.co.uk/search/display.var.1483462.0.10m_bmw_move_to_bolton.php
They directly blame the idea of the Congestion Charge for making them do this
Dave (22/06/2007 at 12:13)
What do people think that the council want to do with this money? They don't get to keep it themselves for their own pockets! If you look at Manchester council they really have done a fantastic job of dragging our city into the 21st Century.
They can only really spend it on local services and employ local people.
Regarding a referendum - I would imagine that one big problem with referenda in general is that people who are against any issue are always much much more likely to vote than someone with an opposite view.
This is just human nature, voices against any issue will always be louder than voices for.
Which could mean that a fair, accurate and non-biased opinion poll may be the best way to determine the issue. This is especially true in light of notoriously low voter turnout, unless everyone would be forced to vote!
Tony Blair, PM, retired (22/06/2007 at 12:42)
If a drive round this, you know, great city is worth having well, yikes, it's, you know, worth paying for.
I'm off to live in Edinburgh (free prescriptions).
Chris, Irlam (22/06/2007 at 13:02)
Jones is empire-building with this proposal and the prospect of using our hard-earned cash to boost his own standing is proving far too much for him.
When I first spoke to him over 2 years ago regarding a Congestion Charge he assured me it was an absolute last resort - well it hasn't taken him very long to decide there is 'no other option' has it?
Just as a couple of years after implementation there will be 'no other option' to double or triple the daily charge.
Do not trust them!
Ms D, Manchester (22/06/2007 at 13:08)
Snare Drum, Ashton-under-Lyne (22/06/2007 at 13:18)
Edward Davies, Chorlton (22/06/2007 at 13:44)
Forward with Frank (22/06/2007 at 13:45)
They are charging the tax at peak times during the week as they know that people will have no choice but to pay. They say we should change our working hours but not everyone can. We are in business, not some flexi time town hall set up.
It really would be funny if everyone bought into this and on the first day of the congestion charge nobody chose to drive in. Imagine that, no parking ticket tax, no congestion tax either. The council really would be up the creek then.
How dare that councillor say that the poll was a con. I have such contempt for those who just dismiss at whim anyone who opposes his view.
I used a bus two weeks ago and had to enjoy the stench of vomit, empty bottles rolling round my feet every time we turned a corner, people smoking, youths swearing and getting wet at the bus stop on the way back, not to mention standing in piles of glass at the smashed up bus stop.
I use public transport when overseas as it is civilised.
There really will be a backlash against this. Enough is enough.
Snare Drum, Ashton-under-Lyne (22/06/2007 at 14:18)
Ed (22/06/2007 at 14:31)
But that wouldn't produce any income so it won't happen. If the PTA is insistent that the aim is to reduce congestion then let THEM set the lead by altering their working hours. I hope that staff employed by the PTA will now have their core time flex hours extended from 6.00am to 10.00pm. That way they can set an example by travelling outside the rush hour.
But who wants to come home for tea at 10pm? (So why expect other workers to do that...).
As a former member of the PTA I recognise the odour of someone's pet project here. The fact that councillors have started running with this particular ball doesn't automatically mean it's a good idea. It went down like a lead baloon in Edinburgh and that's what will happen here.
Linda Holt, Didsbury, Manchester (22/06/2007 at 14:36)
David Forsyth (22/06/2007 at 16:06)