THE decision over whether Manchester should introduce congestion charging is balanced on a knife edge.

That was the verdict of key figures on both sides of the issue after 250 people attended the South Manchester Reporter’s debate on the crucial issue.

Debaters crammed into an auditorium at Parrs Wood High School in Didsbury to give their views on the proposals and grill representatives from the Yes and No campaigns, as well as key local political figures.

The debate was held just days before residents across the conurbation take part in a referendum over the controversial issue.

In a survey of those present, just over 50 per cent said that they would vote against the congestion charging proposals, with 46.5 per cent voting in favour, while just over three per cent were undecided. Around 160 people took part in the show of hands.

BBC North West’s former political editor Jim Hancock, who chaired the debate, said: "The vote was very tight. It shows the referendum is still all to play for and it’s clear that it could go either way."

Sitting on the panel were Andrew Simpson, of the Greater Manchester Momentum Group, which is opposing the plans, and Lis Phelan, chairman of the Yes Campaign. The main local political groups were represented by Councillor Simon Ashley (Liberal Democrats), Lucy Powell (Labour), Coun Faraz Bhatti (Conservatives) and Brian Candeland (Greens).

Next week residents in Greater Manchester will start voting on whether to adopt a congestion charging scheme that would see £2.75bn injected into public transport.

If the plans get the go ahead motorists would be charged up to £5 per day - at today’s prices - for crossing the charging rings of the M60 and an inner boundary. Charges would apply at peak times into and out of Manchester city centre.

It will cost £318m to set up a peak hour, weekday-only congestion charge.

Some £1.2bn of the £2.75bn total would be in the form of a loan, paid back over 30 years out of profits from the charge.

It would also see the expansion of the Metrolink tram network to many locations across south Manchester and other parts of Greater Manchester. For the bid to get the go ahead, a majority ‘yes’ vote must be achieved in at least seven of the ten councils.

Reporter editor Lawrence Matheson said: "This is one of the biggest decisions that Manchester will ever make.

"We wanted to give our readers the chance to make the best-informed decision possible by allowing them to have their say and to grill some of the most influential figures in this debate."

Mr Matheson added: "It was a fascinating debate and the excellent turn-out shows just how passionate people are about this important issue."

Andrew Simpson of the Greater Manchester Momentum Group – which is against the proposals – said: "The vote was narrow, but it shows that more people are still voting against the proposals than for them.

"People have listened to the facts, and the figures from the debate show that more people are against the charge than for it."

Lis Phelan, chairman of the Yes campaign, acknowledged that the voting figures were close, but said she hoped they would not reflect the final outcome at the final referendum.

She added: "I think having this kind of debate was long overdue.

"The vote was close, however I’m not sure how accurate a reflection it was of what will happen at the referendum. You do tend to find people who are passionately against the proposals are more likely to turn up than those who are going to vote yes."

The other members of the panel also welcomed the chance to discuss the proposals in depth.

Labour’s Lucy Powell said: "It was a very narrow result after a really good debate. But I do hope that people vote in favour of these plans because it is a once in a lifetime opportunity."

Lib Dem leader Simon Ashley said: "It was an interesting debate and an extremely close vote.

'It isn’t a perfect deal, but the important thing is that people do use their vote."

Brian Candeland of the Manchester Green Party said: "It was a very lively debate and a fantastic testament to democracy that a lot of people were very vocal. It’s helpful to the people to hear what other people say and hopefully they’ll be better informed."

Coun Bhatti said: "The vote was pretty close, but it’s clear to see that a large number of people are passionately against the congestion charge.

"I am pretty optimistic that people will be voting the congestion charge down."

Students from News Associates' Manchester centre were also at the debate - click here to read a report of the evening from student Heather Skillen