Century's c-charge challenge

December 02, 2008

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Michael Billington, Ben Ransom, Charissa Chadderton, and Charlie Baker.

JUST how difficult is it to get into Manchester city centre during morning rush hour? Reporters at our sister radio station, Century Radio, decided to find out where the congestion hotspots are with a motorbike, a bicycle, a car and a bus.

All four set off from Cheadle - outside the proposed outer ring for the congestion charge - just after 8am - and completed the same 8 mile journey to Albert Square.

There were a number of basic rules, including no jumping red lights, no speeding and no dangerous weaving in and out for the bikers.

But who would make it there first?

Well, after a mile or so the motorbike was racing ahead, followed by the cyclist and the car. The bus was lagging a long way behind.

The cyclist soon lost the car which was slowed down by red light after red light not to mention huge queues heading up the Kingsway into the city centre.

So in just over 20 minutes the motorbike was there and a very smug rider was waiting outside the Town Hall with coffee and cakes.

In second was the cyclist about 10 minutes behind, followed by the car in 45 minutes and then the bus with a very frustrated passenger who'd spent 59 minutes on board.

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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Century's c-charge challenge
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Trumpetman21 (02/12/2008 at 08:33)

"and no dangerous weaving in and out for the bikers"

I hope you didn't prevent the motorcyclist from filtering - this is perfectly legal after all.

Peter M, Mcr (02/12/2008 at 08:36)

The bicycle is faster, healthier and better for the environment than the bus, so why don't the council and the government cycling instead of more buses? Btw, did anyone check whether the bus also obeyed the no speeding and no jumping red lights rules?

Polky (02/12/2008 at 08:38)

This was on Rock radio this morning.

It seems to me that all these "challenges" are set to run up the A6 from Stockport, starting in Cheadle or Hazel grove.

I'm still waiting foran attempt from Oldham or Rochdale, because I suspect the result might be much different and the added advantage of being able to use the train.

The motorbike will always win, though.

johnnyboy, Ashton-u-Lyne, Lancashire (02/12/2008 at 08:44)

VOTE NO the wording of this article is anti car and confusing, also how many of the contestants listen in comfort to Century radio on the way?

dessie, manchester (02/12/2008 at 08:54)

if there was no overtaking how come the motorbike won?? surely it would have come in the same time as the car!!!!

Mark,Radcliffe. (02/12/2008 at 08:56)

Does it count as deja-vu,if this time there's a motorcycle ?

Al Capone of Atherton, Atherton (02/12/2008 at 09:44)

Don't they have trains in Cheadle?

Dessie, Gorton (02/12/2008 at 09:48)

What if they were to take up all of the bollards and other traffic calming measures that have been put and and were to resequence the lights back to what they were. The car would win.

Ronky, Bowker Vale (02/12/2008 at 10:36)

What's the betting that the yes campaign will be doing a similar survey - comparing driving today with using public transport last week?

Rammylad (02/12/2008 at 10:53)

Good test MEN / Century. How about Rammy to Manchester at 7am. After all the charge comes into effect at 7am not 8am.

Try it.

I estimate Car and Motorbike neck and neck with the motorbike taking it by a spoke after ~25 minutes. The cyclist second maybe 40 minutes and the bus at 1.5 hours a distant and pointless last.

citycentre, manchester (02/12/2008 at 10:59)

Polky,

if they did to to oldham or rochdale they should take an average time for the bike; might be slower on the way home

Spinneyhead, Withington (02/12/2008 at 11:44)

No matter what you do to the traffic calming and light sequencing the car will still lose out to the bike and motorbike because there are too many other cars on the road. Two wheelers can always get to the front of the queue without having to do anything dumb or dangerous whilst the car will always be stuck at the back and often need to wait for more than one light change.

I love my bike for getting around the city. I spend less than £100 a year on keeping it in good condition and have no other expenses. In return I save a minimum of £2 on bus fare every time I use it and I don't have to waste money on gym membership. It's even fun, in an odd way, to be out in the elements and at risk of rain, snow and wind.

Audenshaw Bob (02/12/2008 at 11:55)

What about the 20,00 that travel in from Yorkshire every day?

Can we do a comparison for my mate who lives in Goole? It usually takes hime forty five minutes by car, public transport two hours and twenty minutes. How fast by bicycle to d the 140 mile round trip?

Anyway, he thinks the charge will come in so is moving his business to Bradford so it's irrelevant.

Bean B4, manchester (02/12/2008 at 12:03)

What a completely pointless waste of time and fuel.

Phileas T Fogplatter, A-u-L Lancashire (02/12/2008 at 12:05)

Early next year they are trying The Century Winter Holiday Challenge, where you get a family of four to the airport by the same means.

But before that, there is The Century Christmas Challenge, Where you get a 10ft Christmas Tree and a 16lb turkey home on Chrismast Eve.

So Stay Tuned Folks! Some of you might know the "winners" now. Please keep it to yourselves as it spoils the enjoyment of others

Polky (02/12/2008 at 12:25)

I notice that none of these challenges compare the time taken during rush hour and the time taken at, say, 2am.

I noticed that my 30 minute rushour round trip from Middleton to Manchester was 5 minutes shorter at 2am.

I am not prepared to pay £5 per day for 5 minutes, so I have voted NO.

sarah james (02/12/2008 at 12:35)

did they take into account the amount of time needed to walk from home to a bus stop and then waiting for a bus to show up ?? I never much doubt it. On the rare occasion I get a bus into the city centre I have leave the house a good 15 minutes before the time want to get on a bus

Pippa, Manchester (02/12/2008 at 12:43)

Good job it wasn't this morning and from Ashton Under Lyne - according to the lead article in today's MEN, the buses weren't running from there cos of the weather. Vote Yes campaigners take note !

Polky (02/12/2008 at 12:54)

" did they take into account the amount of time needed to walk from home to a bus stop and then waiting for a bus to show up ?? "

No

They waited for the bus to turn up and then began the race.

Frostee, Oldham (02/12/2008 at 19:07)

Polky wrote: " did they take into account the amount of time needed to walk from home to a bus stop and then waiting for a bus to show up ?? "

That's an excellent point Polky and something that is never mentioned when it come to public transport.

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