SPLITS over proposed congestion charges for Manchester have emerged as MP for central Manchester, Tony Lloyd, backed the scheme - in direct opposition to colleague Graham Stringer.

Mr Lloyd said a road pricing scheme could result in a `better life' for people in his constituency, which stretches from Clayton to Whalley Range, as long it was part of a `total package' of public transport improvements.

He added: "It's not a question of whether you are in favour of charging - but whether you are in favour of tackling congestion, which damages jobs, the environment and health. Under the right circumstances with proper infrastructure in place it will be part of the package that will keep Manchester moving."

Mr Lloyd's views place him in the opposite corner to Blackley MP Graham Stringer, who argued congestion charging proposals were `unfair' and `neither financially viable nor practical'.

Mr Lloyd said that since car ownership in the neighbourhoods he represents was low, his constituents were suffering all the ill effects of congestion, with none of the benefits. But, he stressed, the council leaders had to prove it was necessary, practical and value for money.

Zones

And Greater Manchester, he said, would have to begin working towards a London Transport-style system - with comprehensive zones linking buses and trams, top-up discount cards for regular users, low bus fares, and improved cycle lanes as well as extended tramlines and secure park and ride facilities - to make road pricing palatable.

Mr Lloyd admitted Manchester did not suffer from the same levels of congestion but said it would be irresponsible to `wait ten years and see where it goes'. He also slammed the bus companies, saying the service was `rubbish' in his constituency and a `rip-off'. On Friday, the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities voted to order officials to draw up detailed charging plans for 15 city centre corridors. The M.E.N. revealed every single one of the council leaders who are backing road charging travelling to the debate by car.

Mr Stringer has opposed plans to introduce road pricing ever since the idea was first mooted. He has argued any `pay as you drive' scheme should target motorways and not city roads, describing plans favoured by council leaders and the labour government as a `tax on the poor' that `will harm the economy'.

DO you support a Manchester congestion charge? Have your say.

JOIN the debate and read background details on the congestion charge issue here...