Battle commences over Manchester congestion charge plans

Battle commences over Manchester congestion charge plans

Battle lines are being drawn in the run-up to the referendum on the introduction of a congestion charge in Greater Manchester.

The wording of the referendum question on the introduction of a congestion charge for Greater Manchester has been drafted. The proposed wording for the December ballot is: ‘Do you agree with the Transport Innovation Fund proposals?’

Greater Manchester’s 10 council leaders will vote on the wording on October 31, before residents are asked to vote in the referendum. Ballot papers will be sent out next month and must be returned by post by December 11. For the congestion charge to be introduced, seven of the 10 boroughs must agree.

Almost £3 billion in Government funds will be invested in public transport across the county if approved but only if the charge is introduced by 2013.

However, the wording of the question has been criticised by Graham Brady, Conservative MP for Altrincham and Sale West, who said: “By all means it can mention the Transport Innovation Fund and therefore the money which might be involved in some public transport projects but vitally it has got to mention the tax. [But] To have a referendum on the introduction of a congestion charge which doesn’t even mention the congestion charge is absurd.”

The proposed preamble and question for the referendum was drawn up by Sir Neil McIntosh, the independent returning officer for the referendum, who said he believed his question was ‘fair, clear and balanced’.

Although opponents of the congestion charge, Manchester Against Road Tolls (MART), believe the wording for the referendum question is fair, they say both sides should be given the opportunity to put their arguments in the accompanying information leaflets sent out with the ballot papers. They are due to be dispatched in late November following a three-month public consultation over the proposed scheme which ended on Friday (October 17).

Manchester’s businesses are said to be divided over the charge, although a poll by the CBI found more than half of its members backed the charge.

Under the proposals for the charge - which is expected to cost £318m to set up - motorists would have to pay to cross the M60 and a second ring around the city centre at peak times. A capped day pass of £10 is proposed for drivers, such as some delivery vehicles which cross charging rings repeatedly at peak times.

(BBCnews.co.uk/Financial Times)