Browse Sections
Interactive
Popular Sections
Spotty showersNews
| 
Submit Comments
advertisement
Campaign to force charge referendum
24/ 6/2008
ANTI-congestion charge campaigners are set to target Rochdale Council leader, Councillor Alan Taylor, in a bid to force a referendum.
Manchester Against Road Tolls (MART) has vowed to launch an information campaign in Cllr Taylor’s Healey ward demanding Rochdale Council support a referendum on the bid that could see congestion charging introduced as a way of extending the Metrolink system.
MART is demanding the public has the final say on the plans that would see £3 billion invested in public transport improvements in return for congestion charges.
Sean Corker, from MART, said they would target the wards of all Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) leaders who support the bid.
He said: "It’s not for MART to save leading politicians from committing political suicide. However, this is a matter of principle. You don’t create a new tax, load a multi-billion pound loan on people’s council tax bills and tag their driving movements without asking for their permission."
Cllr Taylor said: "While we await the results of the public consultation, which will be announced in August, I would urge them to wait and see what the outcome of this will be."
Under the proposals there would be two ‘rings’, one along the M60, where drivers would pay to cross one way at peak times and another nearer the city centre where drivers would pay again.
The 10 councils of Greater Manchester must decide whether to accept the plan or not. But at least seven councils must agree for the road charging and subsequent £3bn public transport revolution to go ahead.
Those who would not have to pay include motorcycle riders, disabled blue badge holders, hackney cab drivers, buses and all emergency service vehicles and people with ‘regular’ hospital appointments – but private hire vehicles would pay the expected peak-hour charge of up to £5 a day. People on low incomes would receive a 20 per cent discount.
Most recent 2 of 4 user comments
27/06/2008 at 21:28
Got an opinion you want to share?Are you interested in the Olympic Games?
Poll has now ended
| Card | BT Fee |
| Capital One BT Exclusive | 3.0% |
| Virgin Credit Card | 2.98% |
| Barclaycard Platinum 'As on TV' | 2.9% |
| Capital One Platinum | 3.0% |
| Company | Typical APR |
| FirstPlus Exclusive Rate | 6.6% |
| Moneyback Bank | 7.6% |
| Alliance & Leicester | 7.7% |
| Halifax (Semi-exclusive) | 8.8% |
| Bank of Scotland (Semi-exclusive) | 8.8% |
| Barclays | 8.9% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Fixed Rate Account |
7.20% |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Fixed Rate Account |
7.00% |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Fixed Rate Account |
7.00% |
|
ARRAY(0x1533e7f4) 6 Month Fixed Rate Savings Account |
6.60% |
28/06/2008 at 12:13