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MP in C-charge vote warning


15/10/2008

ASHTON MP David Heyes has warned transport chiefs residents are ready to throw out the congestion-charge plans unless "common sense" is applied.

Mr Heyes fears many Tamesiders will vote ‘no’ in the forthcoming referendum unless "flawed" proposals are changed.

He said: "I fully support the investment proposals but I am less happy about the current proposals for congestion charging. The M60 is being proposed as the outer charging ring. But, in just going about their normal daily lives, many of my constituents will have no choice but to cross the motorway to get to where they work, to take children to school or perhaps to perform caring duties.

"For example, one of my constituents lives and works in Ashton, but needs to go to Droylsden before and after work to care for her elderly parent. "People like her won’t be contributing to urban congestion but they’ll be forced to pay under the current plans.

"There is a simple, common-sense solution to this problem. Travellers who cross the outer ring road should only incur a congestion charge if they also cross the inner ring in the same inward or outward peak time journey."

Mr Heyes added: "The unfairness in the congestion charge needs to be fixed if it is to have any chance of being accepted by the electorate in the referendum."

A TIF spokesman said: "The congestion charging element has been designed to tackle congestion where, when and in the direction it has the most impact. We will take on board these comments and would state that the leaders of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities will consider the results of the public consultation and the issues raised at the end of this month — ahead of the public referendum set to take place later this year."


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Most recent 2 of 8 user comments

    There is not `massive congestion` on the outer ring, im sorry but thats just not true. For example part of the outer ring runs by daisy nook (give or take 2-300yards) in Ashton-U-Lyne, wheres the `massive congestion there? and in parts where there is congestion problems, for the most part its caused by ridiclous traffic management systems. I can possibly understand elements of the rationale for this scheme in respect of parts of the city centre, but certainly not in the outer ring. It says it all to me that the london ring is what 8sq miles, and ours is going to be 80sq miles? Also as ive said elsewhere, if the Govt can bail out Banks to the tune of £150 billion (with our money!) they could have solved the issue of public transport etc across the country not just Greater Manchester at any time it suited them. I also have to say that when im constantly being bombarded with `proganda` for these proposals,on the TV and in the post etc with no alternative viewpoint being presented,alarm bells start ringing. So people all in all think long and hard before you vote, because once this is in theres no turning back!
kontraband, Tameside
25/11/2008 at 21:40
   Kev P. have you had your head up your ass while the rest of us have been talking about this. Only 6% of traffic in the charge zones will pay anything. The reason for that is that most of the congestion in the figures AGMA are using is on the M60 and do not get charged. Do you understand
nomoneyleft, oldham
22/10/2008 at 20:32
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