End of TIF consultation

Congestion charge consultation ends.

The consultation into the future of transport in Greater Manchester ends today (Friday 10 October).

If successful money from the Transport Innovation Fund will be spent on improving public transport across the region, followed by a congestion charge for the inner city region once 80% of the improvements are in place.

Leaflets detailing the transport improvements have been sent to homes and businesses across Rochdale and made available online. The improvements include an extension of the Metrolink system to Rochdale town centre.

The £3billion public transport investment will depend on the congestion charge coming into force in 2013, at a cost of £318million. The peak time charge would see motorists pay to cross an outer ring at the M60 and to come into Manchester city centre through a second ring.

A referendum on the proposals will be held on 12 December.

Rochdale Council is supporting the proposals but of the ten Greater Manchester authorities, Bury, Stockport and Trafford are all against the congestion charge.