BACKERS of a Greater Manchester congestion charge today launched their `Yes' campaign ahead of a region-wide referendum.

The public will get the chance to vote on plans for a £5 peak hour, weekday charge in December.

Government ministers are offering a £3bn package for new tramlines, extra buses and trains - but only if the region adopts a peak time charge for traffic entering Manchester.

Campaigners today launched their formal efforts to persuade voters to back the move - arguing that the offer was an exceptional opportunity to revolutionise the region's public transport.

The group, which dubs itself the Greater Manchester Yes Coalition, is composed of environment campaigners, business groups and other bodies.

Speaking at the launch in Rochdale, Chris Oglesby, from property group Bruntwood and chair of a pro-charge group of businesses, said the group would spend the next few months "challenging the myths" of the charge.

He said: "The strength of 'The Yes Campaign' is that we are a broad coalition genuinely reflecting the diversity of Greater Manchester. As we have talked to businesses over the summer about the benefits that the investment will bring, we are finding that the tide is turning in favour of the bid."

Postal ballots will be sent out later this year and must be returned by December 11.

Under the proposed Transport Innovation Fund plans, two charge zones would be set up around Manchester.

One would broadly follow the M60 ring road, with traffic charged for crossing the boundary during peak hours, and the other cover the city centre, for which an additional charge would be levied.

Certain vehicles, such as black cabs would be exempt, but some business leaders have expressed fears over the proposed charge, arguing it would hit their profits and put them under increasing pressure to cover their staff's extra travel costs.

A poll earlier this year showed marginal public support for a congestion fee, although the majority of local businesses would oppose it.

Currently, only London operates a congestion charge but the government is keen to expand the scheme. Residents in Edinburgh rejected proposals for charging in 2005.

Speaking at the launch, Pat Connor, from the GMB union's taxi section, said the proposals would relieve congestion and make getting around easier for thousands of people. He said: "Cab drivers have seen traffic get worse and worse in Manchester over the last ten years.

"Obviously we want to see traffic moving if we are going to make the most of our working day. I have no doubt that this £3billion investment is our best chance to tackle Greater Manchester's transport problems."

Ali Abbas, from Manchester's Friends of the Earth group, said: "This is our opportunity to take concrete action to help the environment, rather than just talk."

A spokesman for the Greater Manchester Momentum Group, which is campaigning for a No vote, said: "In the countdown to the referendum, we will campaign vigorously to encourage the people of Greater Manchester to reject transport proposals that will make our city region a uniquely expensive place to live and work, costing us up to £1,200 a year to get to work.

"The current proposals are very badly designed and represent poor value for money.

"We disagree strongly with the suggestion that TIF investment will `revolutionise' our public transport system, when common sense, as well as detailed analysis, shows that introducing the world's largest charging zone - the entire inner M60 area - means public transport will not be a cost-effective, door-to-door alternative to the car for most of us."

TIF documents released under the Freedom of Information Act

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