Fergie backs c-charge

Exclusive David Ottewell

December 01, 2008

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SIR Alex Ferguson is backing the congestion charge.

The United boss said the promise of billions of pounds in return for the charge was a 'once in a lifetime opportunity to put Greater Manchester in the premier league for public transport'.

He urged people to vote Yes in the on-going all-postal referendum, which closes on December 11.

But he will not get to vote - because he lives in Cheshire. Only residents of Greater Manchester were issued with ballot packs last week.

The region's 10 councils are bidding for more than £2.75bn from the government's Transport Innovation Fund, including £318m to set up the peak-hour, weekday charge.

Some £1.2bn would be in the form of a loan, paid back over 30 years out of profits from the charge.

In a letter to the Yes Campaign, Sir Alex writes: "Every season we are hosts to visiting fans from all over the country, and for those clubs fortunate to qualify for European competitions, we welcome thousands of foreign supporters too.

"Most of these visitors use public transport to get to our stadiums and we want their visit to be a good advert for the region.

"You don't get a second chance to make a first impression.

"The proposed investment in Greater Manchester's public transport network will make getting to games safer, faster and more enjoyable.

"Better bus services, the new Metrolink lines, longer, more frequent trains, new stations and simpler integrated ticketing will all make match-day travel a better experience."

Sir Alex concluded: "The TIF proposals offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put Greater Manchester in the premier league for public transport - so don't score an own goal. Vote 'yes' for safe, fast and convenient match-day travel, and make sure all Greater Manchester people get the public transport they need and deserve."That is why I am saying 'yes' to this campaign."

Supporters of the TIF bid hope the intervention by Sir Alex - a lifelong Labour supporter who once described himself as 'almost as passionate about politics as football' - will prove a major boost to their campaign.

Lis Phelan, chair of the 'yes' campaign, said: "As a football season ticket holder I am well aware of the transport difficulties we face on matchdays.

"The new tram station at the City of Manchester Stadium, the new transport interchange at White City, the Metrolink extensions to Rochdale, Oldham and Ashton and much improved bus and train services will make a real difference to people travelling to matches across the region."

Sir Alex is right too in highlighting the benefits of the TIF proposals to children and others, who will have more opportunity to take part in community activities.

Sir Alex Ferguson's letter in full:

AFTER the football itself, the comfort and safety of supporters is paramount for all clubs and their managers.

Millions of journeys are made by fans each year to watch their club play both home and away.
Our supporters include the young and the old, families, disabled people and many without cars who rely solely on public transport to get them where they want to go.

Every season we are hosts to visiting fans from all over the country and, for those clubs fortunate to qualify for European competitions, we welcome thousand of foreign supporters too. Most of these visitors use public transport to get to our stadiums and we want their visit to be a good advert for the region. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression!

The proposed investment in Greater Manchester’s public transport network will make getting to games safer, faster and more enjoyable for all our supporters and visitors.

Better bus services, the new Metrolink lines, longer, more frequent trains, new stations and simpler, integrated ticketing will all make match-day travel a better experience.

All our clubs work in their local communities and we particularly welcome the news that all the new buses and trams will have better access for disabled people and parents with prams and buggies.

The huge increase in yellow school buses will be a great help too, as they will be made available for school visits and events. More children should be able to take part in the soccer schools, homework clubs and many other activities we put on throughout the year.

The TIF proposals offer a once in a lifetime opportunity to put Greater Manchester in the premier league for public transport – so don’t score an own goal – VOTE YES for safe, fast and convenient match-day travel and make sure all Greater Manchester people get the public transport they need and deserve.

That’s why I am saying YES to this campaign.
Sir Alex Ferguson

Click here to read coverage of the M.E.N debate

Vote No: MEN's Robert Ridley Vote Yes: MEN's Maria McGeoghan

Click here to read the c-charge story so far.

Click here to read TIF documents released under the Freedom of Information Act.

Click here to read David Ottewell's politics blog

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(wetsocks), Manchester (01/12/2008 at 07:09)

Well Alex Ferguson (sir) can probably afford £1200/year, and probably doesn't even drive himself (so his CC will come out of the company profits as his chauffeurs expenses).

Funny how all these Alright Jacks are happy to spend OUR money.

dessie, manchester (01/12/2008 at 07:12)

while he drives in his luxury bentley trouble free around manchester!!!

better off red (01/12/2008 at 07:17)

ooh. red card sir for foul and abusive conduct. send him to the stands.

Ellsbells, Prestwich (01/12/2008 at 07:24)

Very disappointed with Fergie. Normal peoples lives involve a lot more than getting to the match and impressing a lot of away supporters with our bendy buses. Fergie lives in a different world (not to mention county) to the rest of us financially, has he really forgotten where he comes from and the loyal red supporters who will feel betrayed by his comments. Shame on you Fergie, maybe one of the money grabbers at town hall have offered him freedom of the city or some such drivel.

Ronnie Silver (01/12/2008 at 08:03)

What do expect from Fergie.

Robert Tocker (01/12/2008 at 08:06)

As a life long United fan I have to admit.Fergie does talk rubbish some of the time.Come on Alex wake up.

AngusDangus, Salford (01/12/2008 at 08:10)

Come on Alex talk sense.Your prices are already sky high without have to pay a congestion charge to go and watch a match.Sorry I forget you are a very big Labour supporter.All Scots stick together eh.

Tidders, Rochdale - VOTE NO to the Con Charge (01/12/2008 at 08:11)

he would - whats a grand here or there to someone earning over 5 million a year. champagne socialist strikes again and i'm a united fan

Tony North-Hearn, Stockport (01/12/2008 at 08:14)

Funny how this Letter is published right in the middle of voting."Yes" peoples dirty tricks again.Why does the Men not publish "NO" letters from well known people.Spin,spin,spin.

Ronnie Silver (01/12/2008 at 08:22)

Reading this story I noticed that at the side is a advert saying I want cheap bus fares that why I am voting yes.Why are the MEN running this advert.The yes people know this is not true.Fares will rise and as a Yes man has already said in the press "We have very little control on the the charges imposed by the bus and rail companies.I also noted that Richard Leese leese would not answer why we have to give all this money to Private companies.As for paying the congestion charge to go and watch MUFC.They are already overpriced without pay a toll charge get to the ground.

Dave Kay (01/12/2008 at 08:34)

And prey tell, does he travel on public transport ????

Malcolm Amersham (01/12/2008 at 08:39)

"Don't let the Whitehall mandarins treat you as road pricing guinea pigs when the experiment in their own back yard has failed...This the message from London.Talk sense Alex for once.

Dave (01/12/2008 at 08:43)

I wonder how much pressure or money they put Man Utd to put out this bit of PR-Agency spin?

It's almost sickening to hear these people saying they're for the charge.

Trumpetman21 (01/12/2008 at 08:46)

How sad MEN - what next, are you going to wheel the Pope out as a Toll Tax supporter as well?

Isn't it strange how these supporters all seem to be the well-paid type who wouldn't miss paying to drive in Greater Manchester?

Vote NO - you know it makes sense!

Dessie, Gorton (01/12/2008 at 08:50)

So someone on £3m a year who lives in Wilmslow wants the charge. He can afford it and will want clear roads to drive on!

Anthony C (01/12/2008 at 08:51)

"That is why I am saying 'yes' to this campaign."

Fergie .. .you don't have a vote, nor do you live in the area, so just shut up.

Has everyone gone mad ... why now, should the congestion charge help to subsidise Lis Phelan and other football supporters to go and watch football at the weekend!!!! Maybe they are now feeling the pinch when Man U. decide to increase ticket prices to yet even higher levels of unaffordability.

And as someone who has regularly got caught up in the traffic chaos on Man U. home games, I think they (the club or it;s supporters) should pay towards the transport improvements.

Unbelievable ...

feston gonzalez (01/12/2008 at 08:56)

another biased report.

as much as i love the bloke i have to say Sir Alex is talking out of his squeaky bum.

he's wealthy enough to pay this tax every day, sadly i am not (unless he wants to give me a couple grand each year).

don't believe the lies

VOTE NO

Jomov (01/12/2008 at 09:12)

Damn! If you said earlier Alex I would have voted YES.

Doh!

Dessie, Gorton (01/12/2008 at 09:13)

His employees earn more than £60,000 per week. I don't even eran a third of that in a whole year so £1250 per year more for me is difficult if not impossible. I am a working man and he always harps on about his working class roots so must know how hard it is for someone to finf and extra 1/16th of his wage out of nowhere.

Also United is well served by traisn and the Metrolink. All they will get is a few more carriages which will still be packed as more people use it.

The M60 will slow as people slow down as they don't want to get to their junction before 10am so hopefully his players will be late for training at Carrington. Nobody in their right mind will come off at 9.45am, they will park up somehwere or will slow to 50mph or will go to another junction.

I don't like multi millionaires telling me that I should find £1250 a year so football fans can get to United slightly more easier. Hope he sticks to his new found green credentaisl and United insist their players don't all have seven 5litre cars but go green or rip up United's car park.

You have players in Porsche Cayennes, Range Rover's, Lincoln Navigators etc and he is pro environment. You must thinks we are fools.

Rob Wilson (01/12/2008 at 09:17)

As a resident of Stockport, Cheshire, will I recieve a ballot pack? Should the charge go ahead (I hope it doesnt), we will be just outside the outer ring and would have to pay just to cross town. For this reason I hope I do get the chance to cast my NO vote!

Frostee, Oldham (01/12/2008 at 09:21)

So a multi-millionaire with a Bentley from Wilmslow (who hasn't got a vote) backs the congestion charge for Fiesta owning ordinary workers. Surely this a really good reason NOT to vote yes. And because it is Ferguson, every United hating person (and there are many thousands in Manchester) will now be feeling uneasy about this. On the rebound comes to mind.

I think the Yes Campaign are becoming almost paranoid and frantic in their attempt to sway people. Too late for me and my wife though, our NO votes were in the post last week.

Mike J (01/12/2008 at 09:23)

Oh dear, looks like the send Manchester back to the dark ages clowns are out in force again. TIF presents the opportunity to make Manchester a world city as Sir Alex recognises. As well as the cheaper and quicker journey times, doubled train capacity, 30 miles of new tram tracks, 200 new schools buses, rapid transit bus links and environmental this proposal will invest so much in our economy. Building one of the world's best transport networks will make Manchester a world city. Whilst 10% of people will lose out in the short term for the massive benefit of 90%, 100% of people will benefit in the longterm through increased tourism, business investment and people moving to our city. Car drivers cause such a congestion problem of course they should be expected to contribute to solving the problem. Politicians need to think not just about securing the future for today; but about securing the future for tomorrow. Manchester will really be put on the map by this investment and absolutely every single person in the region car driver or not will benefit. Vote yes and don't let this city be sent back to the dark ages.

Johnnyr1970, Atherton (01/12/2008 at 09:27)

Why has fergie got involved in this? Surely the MEN shouldn't be printing this sort of stuff?

I'm guessing the blue half of Manchester have now just decided to go for the 'No' option then, unless there's a letter tomorrow from Mark Hughes or those blokes from Abu Dhabi!!!

Sir Pentest 2, Newton Nr. Hyde. (01/12/2008 at 09:30)

Mr. Ferguson would do well to keep his mouth shut, and i doubt very much if the Man U supporters will agree with his thoughts and views on this issue.
You've done yourself no favours this time Alex.
Anyway, isn't it about time you were retiring, that gum must be getting rather stale.
Vote 'NO' and take no notice of this biased load of trumped up propoganda.
No!!! No!!! No!!!
oh, by the way, i'm a blue supporter.

Chris Green, Chorlton-cum-Hardy (01/12/2008 at 09:31)

I’ve just realised the only way to make the Toll Tax work!

We can have the inner ring surrounding Old Trafford and the outer ring surrounding London – where most United fans live, perhaps using the M25. Apply it only on match days and only in the correct direction for fans travelling to or from the match to pay each time. With the revenues we can build a high speed rail link between Manchester and Paris via London.

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