PLANS to charge motorists a fee to enter central Manchester are a "high political risk", say MPs.
The Commons Transport Committee said some of the worst traffic congestion in the country occurs in and around urban centres and local authorities have the power to introduce London-style congestion charging schemes.
But the committee, chaired by Labour MP Gwyneth Dunwoody, urged the government not to bully local authorities in Manchester and other cities.
Their report says that congestion charges in London have been a success, although they are cautious about extending it to other cities.
"Local congestion charging is perceived as a high political risk," says the committee.
"Edinburgh recently rejected city-wide charging and no metropolitan area is actively pursuing urban congestion charging proposals."
Labour MP and committee member Graham Stringer is against congestion charging in Manchester, where he was once leader of the city council.
"Congestion charges will hinder, and not help, the city," he said. "We want more people coming in to shop and do business and congestion charges would tax people, forcing them to use the Trafford Centre."
Regional basis
He tried to persuade the committee to accept an amendment saying that individual councils should not be allowed to go ahead with congestion charges and that it should be done on a more regional basis.
Mrs Dunwoody said that local authorities should decide whether to charge motorists for going into the city centres and should not be penalised if they refused to introduce those schemes.
The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, introduced a '5 congestion charge in central London two years ago and it has reduced traffic congestion by 30 per cent.
"Car and bus journeys are quicker and more reliable," the committee says, "with vehicles spending less time in traffic queues.
"And the majority of former car users have transferred to public transport, which is apparently coping well."
But businesses have complained that congestion charges have harmed their trade, with John Lewis claiming sales have been cut by up to nine per cent as a result.
But the Local Government Association told the MPs there was no reason why local tolls or congestion charging schemes should not be part of a move towards a national road pricing scheme, including tolled motorways.
Transport Secretary Alistair Darling is an Edinburgh MP and said the fact that the people of the Scottish capital had rejected congestion charging by a big majority had effectively killed off the whole idea.
"But the report suggests that the government's view - that road pricing is essential - is a good plan," he said. "Although it could take 10 to 15 years before that is possible."
What do you think of road charges? Have your say.
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dave Cheseldine, oldham (29/03/2005 at 18:55)
John Busby, Bury St Edmunds (14/06/2005 at 20:01)
Rt Hon Alistair Darling, Esq., MP
Secretary of State for Transport
Eland House
Bressenden Place
London SW1E 5DU
Dear Minister
Subject: Motor fuel rationing
You will no doubt have had many criticisms of your road charging initiative, which generally refer to the lack of distinction between high and low fuel consuming types of vehicle and whether the tax on fuel and on vehicles will indeed be relieved.
In the last temporary fuel crisis in 1973-74, ration books were issued and a speed limit of 50 mph was imposed. Now that we are approaching what will be a permanent fuel crisis, it occurred to me that in the short term before shortages achieve the desired object, rationing would be an appropriate means of limiting congestion. It would also solve the problem of excessive fuel consumption, because with a limited supply families and businesses would choose the most economic of their fleet.
The level of rations could be set to achieve the government's Kyoto target of greenhouse gas emissions and would conserve North Sea oil at a time of rapid depletion. Rationing might however hasten the inevitable decline in motor manufacturing, which in any case is the inevitable consequence of congestion, which is caused by record car sales over the last few years.
EU Commissioner Piebalgs has called for a European-wide speed limit of 100 kph, on the grounds of fuel conservation. This seems an eminently sensible proposal and would, as a welcome side-effect, save thousands of lives and serious injuries.
It seems to me that in sanctioning road and runway building you have raised public expectations above that which can be fulfilled. When the roads and runways are filled with abandoned cars and aircraft, I think you will have difficulty in explaining why it could not have been envisaged.
I think that the introduction of fuel rationing would allow many targets to be achieved, such as the relief of congestion and global greenhouse gas emissions and others of that ilk. It would also allow you to signal that you are not unaware of the coming permanent fuel crisis.
Yours sincerely John Busby
John Tonkinson, Shetland Isles (10/01/2007 at 11:35)
PW, Manchester (10/01/2007 at 13:28)
PW, Manchester (10/01/2007 at 14:40)
Chris Brierley, bury (24/01/2007 at 10:14)
lucy, Stockport (25/01/2007 at 08:20)
Rob Davies, Cadishead (25/01/2007 at 08:31)
In principle, I agree that city centres do need to be managed using facilities such as park and ride schemes with charges to those who insist on driving into the city but not 12 miles away where I live
Adrian, Altrincham (25/01/2007 at 13:41)
My wife and I both work and our child has childcare for 3 days of the week.
We both take her to nursery on our way to separate work loactions. Public transport does not go near our nursery.
With all the other taxes we pay money is tight and a further tax hit would force my wife to give up her job (contributing to the tax revenue) and stay at home (take from the tax revenue).
Makes perfect new labour sense to me.
Idiots
s mcaaig, manchester. (25/01/2007 at 14:45)
i travel to work in bowdon , and keep an evening job at the end of a working day, i have to pay to park, now im going to be charged for working. i need my car.
this country is goin mad.
public transport is no good. dirty, full of hoodies, i want to safe at night and my car gives me that both day and night. get lost with your charges.
PW, Manchester (25/01/2007 at 18:51)
Steve Dawson, Royton Oldham (26/01/2007 at 23:22)
Leslie Swain, Wythenshawe (03/02/2007 at 16:12)
Should they bring in thees charges then I can see a lot of the companies in Mancherter closing down.
Will Manchester be cutting it's own throat?
Alan, Beds (15/02/2007 at 20:53)