Frustration at yet more Metro delays

Businesses opposed to Greater Manchester’s congestion charge plans have reacted with fury to new delays which mean no Government decision will be announced until after the local elections in May.

Leaders of the Greater Manchester Momentum Group of businesses challenging the proposals say they should be a central part of May’s local elections as it gives the best chance for commuters to be heard.

Rochdale council is delicately balanced with the Lib Dems having a slender majority and the issue could play a big part in the poll.

A GMMG spokesman said: “It is local councils which will decide whether to support the plans for congestion charging but the Government’s delaying means that voters won’t have the information they were promised.”

Councils across Britain go into pre-election ‘purdah’ on Thursday — the time between the notice of an election and polling day — where no activity which could raise questions about the impartiality of a council can take place.