Glossy leaflet 'spins' the congestion charge

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport glossy leaflet - Our Future Transport

The awaited Greater Manchester Passenger Transport glossy leaflet - "Our Future Transport" - 'spinning' the congestion charge has been landing on the doormats of local residents.

The leaflet is billed 'A great move for Greater Manchester' and contains information about Greater Manchester's plans for a £3 billion pound investment programme for public transport and proposed congestion charge.

Whilst the 'Great move for Greater Manchester' sobriquet is highly debatable in the absence of any firm commitment on the specifics of public transport improvement, the leaflet does include details of the level of the proposed charge and a map showing the areas covered, at least initially, though already there has been concern that this is only the beginning and that the area will be expanded, and as with the London congestion charging scheme, once implemented the fees would increase substantially.

Councillor Allen Brett, Labour Group Leader on Rochdale Council and vice-chairman of Greater Manchester Public Transport Authority, in his Rochdale Online Councillor Diary has asked people to read the leaflet and not to listen to "rumours and myths".

He adds: "The debate is about improving public transport and reducing congestion. No one wants to pay to drive but everyone wants less blocked up roads."

Local MP Paul Rowen remains to be convinced saying in reaction to recent revelations of a potential secondary congestion charging scheme that will hit Rochdale: "We maintain our positive position that we would like to see dramatic improvements to public transport in Rochdale.  This would include dramatic improvements to things like bus services in places like Wardle and Littleborough and an end to the chronic overcrowding to our trains.  I find these consultations to be vague - for example, we are told that buses will become more frequent when not actually going into where they will be or any information on how congestion charging will be policed.  I would like to see more details and I am sure that Rochdale residents and businesses would agree with me before we can come to an informed position."

There has been debate on the Rochdale Online Message Board about the fairness of the proposed charge, in particular the way it will hit the poor, who may be priced out of their cars, to the advantage of the rich, who will simply pay the fee and carry on using their cars, thereby widening even further the advantages of the rich over the poor.

One member has asked Rochdale MP Paul Rowen to table an Early Day Motion in Parliament proposing a "fairer" scheme whereby "each person, rich or poor, is given an annual mileage allowance. Those who need more can then buy miles off those who don't use their allowance."

Have your say: 

• Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6161