Rochdale Lib Dems support congestion charging referendum

Date published: 25/06/2008

Rochdale Council Leader Alan Taylor has pledged his support for a referendum on congestion charging. Councillor Taylor said: "I always said that we should wait for the details of the bid and then put it to the people.

"I have absolutely no doubt that if the people of the Rochdale Borough see the massive improvements to public transport then they will look again at the peak congestion scheme.

"The problem all along has been that protesters have been shouting so loud that they haven't actually listened. We will be campaigning vigourously for a 'yes vote' as this funding is crucial and will revolutionalise public transport across our region.

"This has been a three step exercise - the first stage was putting the bid in, the second stage was to evaluate it to see if it was acceptable and then to consult the people of Greater Manchester.

"A referendum on this issue should be the central part of this as long as it is done in a diciplined manner and all 10 authorties should agree to abide by the result."