Congestion charge to 'save lives'

A Transport Innovation Fund working group has claimed that an estimated 135 lives will be saved if the proposed congestion charge is introduced into Greater Manchester.

The Greater Manchester NHS TIF working group believes deaths will be avoided if improvements are made to public transport.

And the efforts to lower congestion on the streets of Greater Manchester will bring other health benefits, with reduced pollution, fewer road traffic accidents and increased levels of cycling and walking.

The TIF bid would see £3billion invested in Greater Manchester's public transport but after the improvements have been made a central Manchester rush-hour congestion charge will be introduced.

However, NHS staff at Pennine Acute Trust, which runs Rochdale Infirmary, voted a resounding 'no' on the TIF proposals in an internal referendum and yesterday a Rochdale Online sample poll revealed that 77% of people in Rochdale are against congestion charging.