C-charge: Stockport says no

Alan Salter

July 26, 2007

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STOCKPORT have dramatically rejected congestion charging in Greater Manchester.

It is the second council to join the rebellion after Trafford voted `no' earlier this week.

But it won't make any difference because the other eight councils involved are in favour and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities has decided to go with a majority verdict.

Stockport, which had been waiting for the result of its own survey of residents and businesses, announced this morning that both were against a road toll, which the government wants in return for £3bn of public transport improvements.

Two-thirds of residents and three-quarters of businesses in Stockport are against charging.

The decision means the authority's chief executive will vote 'no' at a meeting of the AGMA at Dukinfield town hall tomorrow. Manchester Council yesterday became the eighth council to back the idea.

Council leader Sir Richard Leese, who will chair tomorrow's meeting, said that two councils would not be allowed to hold up the rest of the conurbation - and that the new Transport Act in the autumn is expected to introduce powers to force areas to accept the scheme.

Survey

Earlier in the week, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce revealed the result of its own survey of businesses which showed that 57 per cent were against the Transport Innovation Fund bid in its present form.

Angie Robinson, chief executive of the 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, which shows how important this issue is for our members. More than 600 members replied which is one of the highest responses we've ever had."

If the AGMA members vote to carry on, the bid has to go in by the end of this month and the government will decide by December if Greater Manchester has beaten West Midlands and eight smaller authorities.

But it is expected to be five years before charging starts.

Read more about this issue via the links on the right of this page.

Articles

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polkyb (26/07/2007 at 12:03)

So. When do we riot?

majority now counts, eh?

What's happening here is a disgrace and should not be allowed to happen.

I can only hope that some other councils follow Stockports lead and say NO to this financial disaster.

They're nothing but a bunch of thugs, trying to steal my hardearned cash to travel on the roads which I PAID FOR ORIGINALLY! to pay off a loan which will cost me even more if the scheme works!

derick (26/07/2007 at 12:03)

I do not see london in any COMPETION WHAT AN ISULT TO ALL THE BIG CITIES WELL DONE LABOUR

Simon B, www.manchestertolltax.com (26/07/2007 at 12:05)

Press release

http://www.stockport.gov.uk/content/newsroom/latestnews/congestioncharging2?a=5441

Report

http://www.stockport.gov.uk/content/newsroom/latestnews/congestionchargingreport?a=5441

They were told about the 3 billion investment in public transport, but were also told the the congestion charge will pay for some of it, AGMA did not tell the people in its survey the latter.

This is the closest thing we have seen to a referendum, it shows even with the public transport improvments, but the loan mentioned the people will vote against it, this is really why Sir Richard Leese is refusing a referendum

Dave Sherwood, Hollins Green (26/07/2007 at 12:17)

I work for a very large organisation that makes large donations to the Labour party,this morning a memo was ciruclated,"Due to extraordary number of staff stating their position on the Proposed Manchester Congestion charge,it was felt this organisation cannot and will no longer donate to the Labour party"."If the proposed charges do proceed then we will look again at relocation as already 90 percent of the staff live outside the proposed zones".

BOBTILTD, URMSTON (26/07/2007 at 12:25)

Council leader Sir Richard Leese, who will chair tomorrow's meeting, said that two councils would not be allowed to hold up the rest of the conurbation -

The arrogance of this man beggars belief

Sid (26/07/2007 at 12:35)

As Stockport and Trafford have voted NO to the charge Manchester should only be allowed to charge from the border of Manchester and tell Leese to shove it.

BOBTILTD, URMSTON (26/07/2007 at 12:43)

Re : my previous comments :-

Trafford & Stockport Councils would appear to have carried out their OWN polls which were FREE OF ALL THE AGMA SPIN AND LEADING QUESTIONS and have given the voters to right to speak on this issue and look at the result Sir Richard Leese

Fred Parker (26/07/2007 at 12:45)

So what was his award A Life Long Pass allowing him free travel throughout Gtr Manchester and exempting him from the Congestion Charge - Can we please get this straight - we are not bidding for £3billion - £2billion is a LOAN to be repaid over the next 30 years. Anyone can get that. Central Government is bending over backwards to LEND money with the interest it attracts so how come Jolly Roger gets an award - Where is the investment over the LAST TEN YEARS in public transport. Frittered away, but he still had £500,000 sitting in the bank ready to pay for that piece of fictional garbage in the form of the GMPTE Leaflet - OUR FUTURE TRANSPORT - The man is a menace and should be sacked immdediately by GMPTA and also resign his position as Councillor for Irlam - WHAT PUBLIC TRANSPORT IMPROVEMENTS ARE COMING SALFORDS WAY - Answer - NONE

Pob Warby (26/07/2007 at 12:46)

First Trafford, now Stockport eh! Have you noticed that it's Mancs wealthier areas that are opposing the charges, knowing full well their 4X4's will be charged off the roads!

PW, Manchester (26/07/2007 at 12:57)

Let a public referendum reveal that the Labour Spin- Machine is just the tail wagging the public dog. It all stinks to high heaven, from the sudden turn-coat councillors of MCC, to the propaganda leaflet, and the vagueness of the proposals. The remaining authorities will finally see the effect of public opinion about the Government's future taxing plans - at the polls.

BOBTILTD, URMSTON (26/07/2007 at 13:05)

Well done Stockport Council !

Have just read BMG report.

Sections 3.5 & 4.5

That is how to ask the question !!!

Chris, Irlam (26/07/2007 at 13:13)

And this article confirms what MART and other anti-tolls groups have been saying - that the people behind this scheme will change the rules & then FORCE tolls upon areas that do not want it!

Proof that Greater Manchester is nothing more than a socialist dictatorship!

WRITE TO YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLORS, MP'S & THE GMPTA/E TO DEMAND A REFERENDUM!

Ms D, Manchester (26/07/2007 at 13:23)

So it's only Stockport and Trafford who are prepared to listen to their residents ? I'm surprised at Oldham going along with it because it's a Lib Dem council and shouldn't feel like they have to be "Labour sheep". To be honest, the backlash is growing and I see this scheme dead in the water, just like the casino.

A.H.Shamas, Altrincham,Cheshire (26/07/2007 at 13:24)

Traffic congestion in Manchester and other cities in UK can be resolved with better traffic flow and road management, and NOT charges.

ace, manchester (26/07/2007 at 13:43)

This is where most of the congestion charge will go and other labour jaunts?
TONY Blair entertained celebrity guests as part of his farewell world tour with a string of leaving parties and foreign jaunts that cost taxpayers £1.7million.

paul teeque (26/07/2007 at 13:47)

Dave Goddard leader of Stockport council and lib dems told me

"Keep the faith, I will be
having a press conference on Thursday about congestion charging that may restore
your belief in local democracy..........."

My faith is restored!

Now what can stockport and trafford do to stop AGMA changing the rules?

paul teeque (26/07/2007 at 13:52)

To add to my earlier comment.

Why is it every fair survey that is carried out is STRONGLY against the Ccharge and its ONLY AGMA's surveys which are in FAVOUR?

Even the manc chamber survey was against!

Tony, Irlam (26/07/2007 at 14:06)

'introduce powers to force areas to accept the scheme'.
So they are going to introduce it anyway irrespective of public opinion.
They won't be getting a penny out of me.
Vote more of them out next May....can't wait.

alec mathias, brooklands (26/07/2007 at 14:06)

manchester city have not asked us the council tax payers who pay there wages,we demand a vote like trafford, and stockport have had

Anti Luddite, Poynton (26/07/2007 at 14:11)

Great news! All we need now is the Stockport bypass.

Tony, Irlam (26/07/2007 at 14:40)

We didn't vote for this:

http://www.salfordadvertiser.co.uk/news/s/230/230692_award_for_toll_tax_champion.html

alec mathias, brooklands (26/07/2007 at 14:57)

AT LEAST STOCKPORT HAD A VOTE, WE IN MANCHESTER DIDNT,
WHERES OUR VOT RICHARD LEESE

wkdboy1, Hyde (26/07/2007 at 15:08)

It is time to stand up to your council and say no, also make your voices heard so that Jones can not say that the majority back the charge. In stockport we do not have a labour council, we are Lib Dem, and will not have a labour council telling us what should be done in our bourgh, If we wanted labour telling us what we should be doing we would have voted labour to run our council, but we did not so roger jones should stick his scam where the sun don't shine. I have also told him that.

Mark, South Manchester (26/07/2007 at 15:29)

"But it won't make any difference because the other eight councils involved are in favour and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities has decided to go with a majority verdict."

THIS PARAGRAPH IN THE STORY, SORT OF SAYS IT ALL ABOUT HOW THESE DICTATORS SUDDENLY CHANGE THE RULES TO SUIT - DOESN'T IT!!!

paul teeque (26/07/2007 at 16:20)

" First Trafford, now Stockport eh! Have you noticed that it's Mancs wealthier areas that are opposing the charges, knowing full well their 4X4's will be charged off the roads!"

POB someone who can afford to drive a 4x4 won't bat an eyelid at paying £5 a day for an empty road! in fact I would say they would be happy about it.

Stockport and Trafford just have councillors who actually listen.

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