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Council backs city congestion charge

Laura Shannon
31/ 7/2007

ROCHDALE Council is backing plans for congestion charges for Manchester.

They were one of eight councils in the Assocation of Greater Manchester Authorities which voted in the proposal - which could cost drivers up to £5 a day - in return for £3billion of public transport improvements. Stockport and Trafford were the two authorities which voted against.

The leader of Rochdale Council Councillor Alan Taylor said: "Council leaders from across Greater Manchester had a meeting and we all understood what we were voting for.

"Rochdale voted in favour of the charge to get the Transport Innovation Fund money because I wasn't prepared to walk away and say we weren't putting in a bid.

"It has taken 18 months to get the details right so I can press for significant improvements in Rochdale."

The package would include a Metrolink service to Rochdale and yellow school bus services, which provide registered bus services for secondary school pupils with a designated driver.

Falinge Park High School already has some of these services, which replicate the American system, in operation.

Councillor Taylor admitted: "There are serious problems with congestion charging in areas like Middleton and I think the boundaries may need tweaking."

Councillor Allen Brett, leader of the Labour group on the council, said: "I support all the transport improvements, but unless Metrolink comes to Rochdale then I can't see how we can support congestion charging."

Conservative leader Councillor Ashley Dearnley was less forgiving about the charges. He said: "I was very unhappy the council voted in support.

"We should not support anything that brings in congestion charging. Leaders of the Greater Manchester councils made a foolish decision in doing this and are not listening to the vast majority."

The government's verdict on the bid won't come until late autumn, but should it agree, the council has been assured of the Metrolink's high priority and is earmarked for phase one of improvements.

Greater Manchester Bus Operators' Association 'wholeheartedly supports' the bid and argues the need for major transport improvements over-ride issues of congestion charging.


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Most recent 2 of 5 user comments

   I work in Stockport (Well lets face it there are no decent jobs in Rochdale anymore!!), so I will have to pay £5:00 per day. that equates to £100:00 per month, so that along with my saving in petrol should pay for the mortgage on my new house I will now be buying in / near Stockport. Rochdale Council can now whistle for my Council Tax and I will gladly pay it to Stockport MBC. So, will the last person to leave Rochdale turn off the lights!!. Finally all i have to say is, the lunatics have really taken over the asylum havent they! I go to work to pay my taxes, only to be taxed for going to work in my car, which I paid VAT on when I purchased it, together with Car Tax, oh, plus the VAT on petrol I put in it, plus my road tax, plus tax on the insurance, plus VAT on servicing, tyres, Etc. And what do you pay if you don't work and claim off the state - a big fat zero. It's a nice life for some. Bye, Bye Rochdale and good riddance.
Peter, Wardle
9/08/2007 at 00:29
   We are in a democracy! the people of Rochdale like other areas in Greater Manchester voted for idiots! Why do you expect them to act in any other way than idiots! Inundate your councillor / MP with question by phone e-mail/letters, on how he voted?why he voted?, make him justify his position and if you don't agree! Exercise your democratic rights! Make sure he never gets back to abuse his powers again! People of Rochdale! …stop blabbering and take control!
a.spokesperson, Bolton
6/08/2007 at 15:19
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