THE government today paved the way for Greater Manchester to introduce Britain's biggest congestion charge scheme in return for a £3bn revolution in public transport.
Transport secretary Ruth Kelly said she was prepared to give the region £1.5bn in grants, plus permission to borrow £1.2bn more, if it brings in a peak-hour charge of up to £5 a day at current prices.
That would be topped up with £100m from other sources and up to £200m of extra government cash for extra rolling stock on the rail network.
The grant element, from the transport innovation fund, is £300m MORE than the £1.2bn Greater Manchester thought it was likely to get. The £1.2bn loan element - to be paid back out of the proceeds of the charge over 30 years - is significantly lower than the previously quoted £1.8bn.
The offer will now be put out to 12 weeks of public consultation before the 10 councils of Greater Manchester decide whether to accept it or not. Under current rules at least seven of the councils would have to say "yes" for the charge and investment to go ahead.
The charge would not come into place until summer 2013, when inflation would have taken the maximum price up to an estimated £6 a day.
Motorists would be required to fit special tags to their car windscreens, which would be electronically scanned. There would be two charging `rings' - one just inside the M60 and one nearer the city centre - with drivers charged only if they travelled in certain directions at peak hours. Vehicles would pay more for passing through both rings. It would be the country's biggest road-pricing scheme and the first in any major city outside London.
The money would pay for massive improvements to Greater Manchester's public transport, and would come on top of the £600m already pledged to start the extension of the Metrolink tram system.
The `Big Bang' - with new tram lines to Ashton, Oldham and Rochdale town centres, the airport, east Didsbury and the Trafford Centre - would be carried out in full. Plans for a tram-line into the centre of Stockport have, however, been dropped since last year.
Select the link under the picture to see a map of the proposed changes
Click here to see an interactive map of the congestion charge zones
There would be huge investment in buses including a new bus-only priority route along the Oxford Road corridor, and the Leigh-Salford-Manchester priority busway.
There would also be 120 extra yellow school buses to take pupils to and from school, and a doubling of the number of park-and-ride spaces.
Eight new transport interchanges would be built, and a new integrated "smartcard" would allow users to travel on all forms of public transport with minimum fuss.
Money has been earmarked for more trams and longer trains running at peak times, and refurbishment to rail stations across the region. Dozens would be fitted with CCTV and real-time passenger information.
There would also be safer cycle routes, orbital bus services throughout the day, and bus feeder services to rail and Metrolink stations.
Lord Peter Smith, leader of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, said: "This announcement is great news for Greater Manchester.
"As a successful and growing economy, congestion is an increasing problem and one we cannot afford to ignore.
"This will provide a level of investment not seen before outside London, and will transform our public transport system into one capable of supporting the growth of our region for years to come.
"The congestion charge will not be introduced until 2013 at the earliest, will affect just 20 per cent of cars travelling at peak times, and many drivers will pay less than £3 a day.
"Drivers wishing to avoid the charge altogether will be able to take advantage of the radically improved public transport network the TIF package will deliver.
"Debate is vital, and now that we have had confirmation that the Department for Transport are backing our bid, we will proposing to enter into a period of public consultation to ensure everyone in Greater Manchester is fully aware of the proposals and able to have their say."
Click here to see an interactive map of the congestion charge zones
Select the link under the picture to see a map of the proposed changes
What do you think of the plans for Greater manchester? Have your say.
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The way this lot dress this terrible stealth tax up is we will all benefit,its a wonder they dont tell us all we will all get a £100 a week bonus for accepting it?.These politicians are working for the greater benefit of our european masters who want yet more money generating in britain so that britain can give even more money to the ever increasing european money pot..to keep our crap politicians in quangos ,so that after serving in local/national politics they can get jobs in the best money making job known to man "TO BE A (MEP)" And join europes gravytrain..VOTE THEM OUT OF POWER AND LETS GET OUT OF EUROPE at least we will sink out of our own doing rather than feathering others nests.....
Nothing short off blackmail.
It is as simple as that.
If you do not take what we are offering, you can not have what is needed.
If it goes ahead it will be the death of Manchester ...and Kelly, well what can you say about her ...prat of the highest order comes to mind, and, she will be a political has been by 2013, with the Labour party a minority shadow government. It can't come soon enough.
Ruth Kelly has just dismissed as 'scaremongering' a Tory claim that the charge may be extended to satellite towns like Ashton, Oldham etc. So does this mean that the leaflet (from GMPTE amd Manchester Council) that came through my letterbox a few months ago was telling lies? It clearly showed these towns included in 'future plans'!
What people don't seem to realise is that cars coming from outside the M60 will be hit with the main con charge, whilst most of the public transport improvements will be inside the M60! Residents inside the M60 travelling to the city centre won't have to pay the outer ring con charge.
Surely its public transport from outside the M60 into the city centre which needs to be improved.
maybe Manchester and satellite towns should have a referendum on the Con trick but as we all know,Labour don't do democracy!
Who is going to pay for the "Tags" to be fitted to the cars? What happens to cars from outside Manchester? are the top be stopped at the "Border" and forced to have a "Tag" fitted?
Great news. Let's hope the councils back this in full.
Sounds great. I'm glad I don't live there.
Local government gets a loan and pays for it by making suffering commuters, suffer some more.
Maybe if the government actually spent the money from fuel duty, road tax and vehicle sales tax ON ROADS, there wouldn't be any congestion issues.
Instead, the government are spending those taxes on other, non transport related issues and making people pay an additional surcharge for using roads, their taxes have already paid for.
Ripoff Britain begins a new phase.
Its ok saying that the congestion charge will be £5.That is what Ken Livingstone said in London when it was introduced.Definately no increase and then just before the Mayoral election in London he was going to increase to £25.Fortunately for Londoners Boris won and stopped it.
We'd be absolutely mad to turn this great oppurtunity down.
Interesting to hear the Lib Dem spokesman on transport giving the scheme backing.
oh, and could you please enlarge the picture of the schemes such that we can see what is on it please.
Ruth Kellys chances for re-election.
pretty much zero now.
Nice one Ruth and I take it you have got a specially made Rubber Stamp and are exempt from the charges, or can claim them back from the taxpayer through your allowances... now get away from never never land.
The fact of the matter is Manchester intends not only to charge motorists (Voters)to enter the City, BUT TO CHARGE THEM AGAIN ON LEAVING!!! How can there be any justification in charging somebody living in (say) Swinton and working in Atherton (with no congestion Westbound on the East Lancs Road)except to stealth-tax them.
This is nothing more than another TAX, whichever way you cut-it. Interchanges may be beneficial but then you will have to pay for all-day parking and pay again to get to Manchester.
The answer is simple...don't go to or work in Manchester, That should be good for development
Kurt Stephens: "oh, and could you please enlarge the picture of the schemes such that we can see what is on it please."
If you go to the image gallery, the picture is a bit bigger there, but it'd be good to see some detail agreed.
Looks like we got more money than we asked for too!
Every time I see a report on the CONgestion charge, it is always put in a way which makes it look like a £3bn hand out, instead of the £1.2bn with £1.8bn being a loan. They also keep on with it only being £5 per day, when only a few weeks ago, it was announced that £7.50 was nearer the mark. We have been told lie after lie, and even had so called supportive comments from people who it was found, lived in the USA, and had never even heard of Manchester. As it is, we in Britain, already pay the highest fuel prices and road tax's, which makes CONgestion charges, totally uncalled for. I am expecting the councils of Manchester to prove that they have lied, yet again, when the people of Manchester don't get their say as we have been led to believe we will get, so bring it on Leese, and give us our referendum.
Quote:
"Motorists would be required to fit special tags to their car windscreens"
Munkey Boy, Kurt, Stockport Dad, James, Graeme!Im on your side now - Bring it on!!!!! Two nuts and a bit of fabric tape and my Land Rover windscreen comes off!!!! Lets watch the plebs at the bus stops as I go happilly on my unfettled way.
I may even apply to guard those 120 School busses which will only be useful 20% of the time.
Still we dont know how much it is to set up scheme and likely running costs after or what happens if there is a short fall in revenue. How much will the fine be if we forget - who will be exempt - Mr Lease any suggestions???
What these silly politicians don't understand is they are charging lots of people that aren't going anywhere near Manchester. If I want to go from Bury to Oldham, I am on the M60 for 1 junction. I would be charged full whack for this. And has anyone ever tried getting public transport from Bury to Oldham?? Tram to town and then a train to Oldham. Takes a long time. And my bf goes along the M60 to get to the M61. He will also be charged. So instead he will travel up the M66 and the M65. Just moving congestion from one road to another.
This charge is only the beginning. It won't be long before we have to pay for using all motorways in the area.
And state of the art public transport my bottom. You really do not have a clue.
I'm all for doing things for the environment, but put the public transport infrastructure in place first to allow people the choice and don't charge ridiculous amounts of money for its use like what happens now.
I think many businesses will also suffer as result of this. People will simply not travel to see them. The Trafford Centre will suffer too.
I do wonder where these people live and whether they have any idea of what real life is about. I for one will not be voting Labour in the next election.
£3bn of money that we already paid in tax. £1.8bn being a loan which we the taxpayer will be charged congestion charge to pay back.
If you had 4,000 ponunds in saving at the bank and you asked for it to be returned to you would you be happy if the bank manager offered it back as a loan. Thought not.
ace, manchester, I agree with you 100%.
What a great present from this shambolic government, to the labour voters of manchester.
"This will provide a level of investment not seen before outside London, and will transform our public transport system into one capable of supporting the growth of our region for years to come.
How does a transport system support the growth? Many retail businesses will suffer.
Here's a small example. Some relatives of mine come into Manchester once a month during the week. They spend a full day here, meet up with friends, go shopping (and they spend believe me), the eat out and more often than not go to a matinee at a theatre). They probably spend about 300 pounds each all in.
On point of principal they said they won't come in again because they refuse to pay the charge on top of extortionate parking fees.
They live in the sticks and can't get a train in unless they park at Hazel Grove (after driving for 30 mins) there is inadequate parking at Hazel Grove.
Instead they will go to Chester.
We must fight this plan and refuse to pay if it ever gets introduced,like the poll tax revolt.What the political elite want is a two tier transport system with the rich upper classes having their cars and empty roads whilst the real workers will be forced to use a second rate public transport system.Believe me the extra money towards the train and bus companies will be used to pay shareholders and director bonuses.How come the tories are keeping quiet on this issue? Because they know that this is a vote winner for them and their top 20% of core voters will be able to use less congested roads with the labour party taking the rap!
I would not live in any hope that a change of government or council would make any difference to the introduction of the CON tax. It is too good an opportunity for any administration.
All of the parties are wedded to the idea of extra motoring taxes, have no illusions about that. Look at London, Boris hasn't suggested abolishing the CON tax there, nor will he. Labour, LibDem or Tory the CON tax is coming to you unless we stand up a be counted.
It has all been a long time coming and,frankly, I wonder if it will all happen!
I heard today, we have the biggest congestion ,in any city outside London ,and this must mean business is suffering.The great success stories in this area seem to be despite London government, rather than with help and encouragement from it.Remember London is finding the money for the east-west cross link and heaven knows how much for the olympic fiasco!
What a brilliant opportunity. Traffic Congestion and poor public transport is preventing Manchester becoming a major European City. Almost all European Cities I visit are light years ahead of their UK counterparts.
However everyone should have the opportunity to examine the proposed transport improvements before coming to a decision and everyone should have the chance to vote.
Yes its more tax and there will be some pain, but theses can be offset with a bit of thought and unselfishness. For those who choose or need to to drive, there are numerous ways of offsetting the cost. ie: 1. Get a smaller car. 2. Get an electric car and avoid the charge. 3. Share lifts. (Sharing with one other will half the extra cost and the share of petrol will probably make it cost neutral).
I suspect most of us will, where possible: 1. Investigate the improved transport options. 2. If using a car, exploit the extra park and ride provision. 3. Work at home for one or more days a week. 4. Travel at non-peak time and avoid the charge (yes, employers will need to be flexible). 5. Get a bike on the 'Employer Scheme' and ride in on the new bike lanes (and, hopefully, shower in the new 'employer provided showers'.
Thoses who do drive in during peak hours will be there in a fraction of the time!
The main benefits will be non-congested integrated transport. Better looking cleaner City. Better tempered healthier citizens.
Bring it on!