Road pricing campaign news

Title: Manchester votes NO – one in the eye for road pricing!
Date: 12/12/2008
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Drivers' Alliance Press Release:

For immediate release

Government plans for congestion charging and road pricing have been dealt a fatal blow following the referendum in Greater Manchester today.

The result of the ballot was 79% voting NO and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities consisting of 10 councils will now reject the Transport Innovation Fund proposals they were happy to recommend just a few months ago.

For this bid to proceed, AGMA required at least seven of the ten councils to vote in favour of the plans and all ten must now vote NO.

Peter Roberts of the Drivers’ Alliance said:

Drivers' pay more than £50 Billion in taxes and most recognise they are getting a raw deal from the government. Investment in the roads is only £5.88 Billion and drivers’ today are looking for transport investment without increased taxation.

The overwhelming defeat of this bid and its associated congestion charge in a heavily contested ballot will be a sharp warning to others considering similar schemes and government who proposed this idea.

With every ballot ever taken showing a rejection of road pricing, it is time for government to reconsider their plans and dump these proposals for good.

As part of the TIF bid, Manchester was offered £1.5 Billion from central government and were authorised to borrow a further £1.2 Billion which was to be repaid from the congestion charge.

This money should be provided regardless of the failure to secure public support for congestion charges.

With the taxpayer in Manchester funding £34 Million in pursuit of what has been proven time and time again to be an unwanted and unpopular policy, it is time for those responsible for this wasteful expenditure to be held accountable.