MOVES to bring in congestion charging in Greater Manchester were in turmoil after three councils withdrew their support - amid claims that some councillors were being deliberately misled.
Trafford, Rochdale and Stockport, the region's three non-Labour-run town halls, made the shock decision just weeks ahead of the local elections.
They believe Labour-dominated transport groups know exactly how much they want to charge, and where - but are keeping it quiet ahead of the May 3 elections.
Rochdale council leader Alan Taylor claimed that the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives were being 'deliberately misled' about how advanced the plans for the charge were.
But Roger Jones, chairman of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority rejected the allegation and accused the rebels of electioneering.
The row threatens to derail the controversial proposals to include road-pricing as part of a bid for £1bn of government money for public transport.
Those plans were based on charging 'corridors' on 15 major arterial routes radiating out from the city centre.
Sir Richard Leese, Labour leader of Manchester council, indicated at the time that drivers could be charged up to £6 a day - although those travelling off-peak, or for shorter distances, might be charged much less, or nothing.
The Labour-dominated GMPTA and the GMPTE have since said details of the scheme could not be publicly released because they would not be finalised until the end of May.
The non-Labour councils have made clear their support for road pricing would be dependent on the details. Their anger finally spilled over into rebellion at a meeting of the GMPTA, when Lib Dem Richard Knowles announced the three councils were withdrawing support. He said: "The opposition is no longer prepared to support an unspecified congestion charging scheme."
Tory Doreen Dickinson confirmed her party shared the Lib Dems' view. Susan Williams, leader of Conservative-controlled Trafford council, said: "We think they are leaving the publication of the proposals too late for a meaningful consultation."
Coun Jones denied anyone was being kept in the dark and said leaders of all parties would have to wait until the end of May to see the proposals.
Sir Richard added: "As far as I can see, that is exactly the same position of every single local authority in Greater Manchester."
Sir Howard Bernstein, who is clerk to the GMPTA and chief executive of Manchester council, said: "No one is being asked to support anything until they know the details."
But Coun Taylor later said: "We have been supportive from the start. The fact remains that Labour refuse to tell us where they plan to charge. The reality is they know. The transport bid runs into hundreds of millions and it is inconceivable they haven't submitted detailed plans.
"I can only therefore conclude they are deliberately misleading us and for that reason we are withdrawing our support."
The move may not prove terminal to the congestion charge plans, as the rebels could reinstate their support when the plans are released in May.
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Observer, Bredbury (16/04/2007 at 11:56)
Alan, Littleborough (16/04/2007 at 15:16)
Brian, Stockport (16/04/2007 at 16:24)
PeterNRoberts, Mellor (16/04/2007 at 20:19)
1.) On public transport I believe that Greater Manchester is in need of a huge amount of investment in our buses, trains & trams.
Thanks mainly to congestion on our roads, people are now using our local trains/trams more than ever before and we must buy more rolling stock over the next 5 years to continue to increase the patronage.
The bus network must be brought back into public control so that the private operators run their buses at a profit BUT on the routes that GMPTA (on behalf of the public) specify.
2.) I certainly don't agree with your views about public transport. I do agree with you that ideally people want 'freedom of choice' but the increasing number of cars on our roads is making the situation intolerable at peak times for most motorists. Some new roads/bypasses I will support, BUT I think all motorists have to be told that that in 5/10 years time they can only travel in total freedom on UK roads in off-peak hours and at weekends. If they choose to travel by car Mon -Fri ,7-00a.m. to 9-30a.m. or 4-00p.m. to 6-30p.m. then they will face a charge. All money received will go to local public transport.
3.) I must admit I am not an expert on global warming and I hope you are correct in your analysis,however the balance of evidence is against you and I think the world is facing a real crisis over the next 30/50 years which will have to be tackled by the United Nations.
Brian, Stockport (17/04/2007 at 12:02)
Iain, Shawclough (17/04/2007 at 16:12)
Mad.
Rangdo, Bamford (18/04/2007 at 08:02)
I've said it before, I don't CHOOSE to travel at those times, that's what work dictates. If I CHOOSE not to travel at those times then I'm CHOOSING to suck money from the state as I'll have no job - but at least I won't be congesting the road!!! Convince my employer I can work from 4am to about 2pm and we've got a deal.
My choice, such as it is, is a 50 min drive to work, or a 2 hour (and depending on time of day a 2 or 3 change) train journey - some choice! And I work in the city of Chester, a fairly major location, not out in a remote village somewhere. I'd love to use the train but it's not feasible.
Chris, Irlam (18/04/2007 at 12:04)
may, denton (20/04/2007 at 22:56)
the only way to stop this is to hit them where it hurts
Labour all my life, Bury (22/04/2007 at 01:23)
Stuart A, Oldham (23/04/2007 at 14:57)
Public transport has RISEN 70%.
Yet, whinging whining drivers continue to bleat about "squeezing the driver for money".
Total rubbish.
P.S. Stop driving and parking on pavements, driving through red lights, speeding, ignoring yellow lines and stopping across crossings and then you might gain some sympathy.
Mary Tilado, Rochdale (24/04/2007 at 12:36)
Chris, Irlam (26/04/2007 at 16:10)
Simon B, Warrington (27/04/2007 at 13:59)
Bolton has now pulled out too.
thats 4 out of 10.
John S., Eccles (29/04/2007 at 22:13)
Open up roads and carriageways back to how they were before so called "traffic calming" by removing obstacles placed by council approval. Stop setting traffic lights to cause the maximum tailbacks on major roads. And most importantly, stop bringing extra traffic in to the city by making it one big office block. Then telling us how wonderful it is and we must now pay to use our own roads. I have been a Labour supporter all my life but NEVER, EVER again. This "New Labour Government"(Blair or Brown) and it's MP's and councillors should be put out to grass and give them time to reflect how and where they have let the people down. Well done to the councillors that have withdrawn support.
Alan, woodley, Stockport (01/05/2007 at 22:49)
paul whisker, gorton m/c m18 8sj (25/05/2007 at 19:44)
jane whisker, gorton m/c m18 8sj (25/05/2007 at 19:46)