JUST ten per cent of weekday motorists would pay a Greater Manchester congestion charge, a new study has claimed.

The figures have been published to reveal how the finances of the proposed scheme have been drawn up.

The controversial pay-as-you-drive scheme - on which the public of Greater Manchester will be polled in a referendum - involves two charging rings, where motorists would pay to cross.

One is just inside the M60 motorway and the other inner ring is around Manchester city centre.

Greater Manchester Future Transport has claimed its studies have shown that 80 per cent of peak-time drivers, who make up half Greater Manchester's daily traffic, would not pay a charge.

The figures show that just two per cent of peak-time drivers would pay the full charge of £5.

Five per cent of peak-time drivers would cross the two inbound charging rings, but not cross a ring heading out in the evening. Five per cent of peak-time drivers would either cross the M60 inbound only or cross the inner ring twice at peak times.

And eight per cent of peak-time drivers would cross one ring either the M60 heading out or the inner ring, either inbound or out bound

The body claimed that the average charge in 2013 will be less than £3.60.

Lord Peter Smith, leader of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, said he hoped that the study's findings would help dispel pricing rumours.

Unscrupulous critics

He said: "Unscrupulous critics have at various times suggested that congestion charging will be extended to the district towns and that a typical payment would be £8. I trust these figures will demonstrate how our plans have been put together assuming that the vast majority of drivers in Greater Manchester won't pay any charge at all and that, of those who do, the average charge will be less than £3 at current prices.

"There are obviously no plans to extend charging to the districts towns."

The study also claims that total revenues from the charging scheme in 2015 are estimated to be £174 million.

The government announced plans to introduce Britain's biggest congestion charge scheme in Manchester - in return for a wide range of public transport improvements worth up to £3bn.

It was confirmed last month that Greater Manchester will have a vote on the scheme in a referendum after a consultation period ends in October. Trafford, Bury and Stockport councils have already said they were opposed to the government deal. Manchester, Salford, Tameside, Wigan, Rochdale and Oldham support the plan and Bolton had pledged to hold a local referendum.