LIBERAL Democrats in Greater Manchester are at war as the region’s congestion charge bid hangs in the balance.
Councillor Alan Taylor – who signed up to the Guardian’s ‘We Say No to Congestion Charge’ petition’ back in April – has branded colleagues in Bury ‘selfish’ after they teamed up with the Tories to withdraw support for a £3bn bid to the government for public transport cash.
The bid – which would include a peak-hour congestion charge of up to £5 a day – needs the backing of two thirds of Greater Manchester's 10 councils in order to go through.
Lib Dem-held Stockport and Tory-controlled Trafford have also declared their opposition.
Supporters of the bid are now keeping an eye on Bolton, which is run by Labour, but without an overall majority. The Tories and Lib Dems could team up to unseat the leadership and form an anti-charge alliance.
Roger Hayes, leader of Bolton’s Lib Dem group, said: “We were happy for the bid to go in, on the understanding we could still not go ahead when we found out the facts about what was on offer.
“We are waiting to hear the government's response and then we will evaluate it.”
Earlier Cllr Taylor, the Lib Dem leader of Rochdale Council, had reaffirmed Rochdale's support for the bid, saying: “The bid will bring in huge investment for our trams, trains and buses.
"The timing of Bury council's decision smacks of opportunism. Responsible civic leadership is about making tough but important decisions that improve people’s lives. That is what the bid is all about.
The Conservatives and the Lib Dems in Bury are opportunistic to say the least and selfish.”
Coun Taylor said he had come under `enormous pressure' from the Labour party to withdraw support for the bid, which would include a £1.2bn grant and permission to borrow £1.8bn more to transform the region's trams, buses and trains.
“This is despite the fact their leader (Allen Brett) is the vice chair of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority,” said Cllr Taylor.
“It's time to leave politics behind and unite behind this bid.”
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Brian Polkinghorne (21/12/2007 at 09:27)
As you seem to be able to change your mind whenever you see fit, without regard for the electorate who voted for you, why should Bury not be allowed to do the same?
You have shown that you are untrustworthy and you will NOT be getting my vote at the next election.
CON charging is going to kill Manchester and Phase two will encircle and kill Rochdale. I don't want that for my town, you obviously do!
Donna. Harpurhey (12/12/2008 at 16:46)