Congestion charge debate rages

After Rochdale Council yesterday welcomed the announcement of the successful Transport Innovation Fund bid, which will see major public transport improvements part funded by a congestion charge on roads leading into Manchester, many remain sceptical as to whether the benifits of the improvements will outweigh the cost to city centre motorists.

As part of the bid Rochdale's train stations will be improved, Metrolink will run into the town centre and the bus service will be re-vamped but some Rochdale Councillors believe the pros do not outweigh the cons.

Councillor Alan McCarthy, Chairman of the Heywood Township, said: "For Heywood itself, other than an improved bus service being put in place, there seems very little benefit that would offset Congestion Charges."

Rochdale's Labour Councillors are united in opposing congestion charging. Their group leader, Councillor Colin Lambert, said: "I am happy to be leading a labour group who are opposed to the congestion charges, it is not the government who are blackmailing the public of Greater Manchester into accepting the congestion charge as part of an investment package, but those authorities who have voted yes without listening to the residents."

MP for Heywood and Middleton Jim Dobbin is backing the Labour group. He said: "I oppose congestion charging 100% and shall work during the consultation to this end.

"It is improvement to public transport that will help improve our environment and encourage people to use the buses and the trains, not congestion charging."

Greater Manchester Future Transport is the group that will put the TIF money into action. A spokesperson said on their behalf: "TIF aims to tackle congestion at the times, places and direction that it does greatest harm to the Greater Manchester economy.

"Less than 20% of Greater Manchester’s peak-time commuting drivers would pay a charge. The average charge paid would be less than £3 per weekday [based on 2007 prices]."