More reaction to the proposed Manchester congestion charge

Date published: 10/06/2008

The Rochdale branch of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and the National Alliance Against Tolls have released statements in reaction to the prospect of motorists having to pay a congestion to charge to get in to and out of Manchester during peak times from 2013.

Carol Hopkins, Rochdale Manager for the Greater Manchester Chamber, said: "This is an extremely important announcement for the future of transport in Rochdale. It finally brings to an end the months of uncertainty and speculation about the Government’s commitment to transport infrastructure investment in our area. It also means we can now have a serious debate as to whether the package on offer meets the needs of the wider business community.

“Rochdale businesses will welcome the prospect of a long over due cash injection, however some significant reservations have been expressed, in relation to the proposed implementation of a congestion charge, a key condition of accepting this money. Firms will now have to decide whether the proposed charge is a price worth paying for the promised level of investment. So, for many companies, the devil really will be in the detail.
“It is absolutely vital that all businesses now have full access to the precise details of the intended public transport improvements and congestion charge, so they can make an informed and reasoned decision on whether to support the proposed investment.

“The Chamber would encourage all Rochdale companies to look carefully at these plans and fully engage in the debate over their merits. Businesses can email their comments and views to congestioncharging@gmchamber.co.uk

“There is an offer on the table to rebuild the transport infrastructure in Greater Manchester and businesses should give these proposals the attention they truly deserve and decide if it’s a deal they can accept.”

Opponents of the scheme from the National Alliance Against Tolls have spoken out strongly against the prospect of congestion charging. Spokesman Sean Corker said "It doesn't matter how big the bribe is, a bribe is still a bribe. The Government know this is the only way that they will get any council to agree to inflict road tolls on local people and businesses."

"What will happen if tolls are introduced can be seen by looking at London. After five years the traffic is as slow as before the charge, and nearly all the money collected has been wasted in the cost of setting up and administering the scheme. London also shows that you can not rely on what is being said by the Government about the amount of the charge or the area that will be covered. After the London scheme was introduced, Ken Livingstone increased the charge from £5 to £8 and doubled the area that was covered."

"The proposed tolls will most particularly affect those on lower incomes who are trying to get to work. These are the people who are already hit by the outrageously high fuel prices - prices which are still mainly tax going to the Government. Total taxes on road use are £50 billion and there is no excuse for this toll tax on top of that."

"Gordon Brown lives not far from Edinburgh so he will know that the people there voted three to one against the idea in the February 2005 "Toll Poll". If the Government believe that people will support their crazy scheme, then they must also allow the people affected in England to have a vote."