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Congestion charging on the cards for Manchester

25/01/2007

Greater Manchester motorists will soon have to pay to drive on busy roads at peak times if a wide-ranging congestion charge scheme goes ahead.

Unlike London's all-day charging scheme, drivers who use Manchester's roads at the busiest times would have to pay the most per mile, while off-peak motorists would be charged less or nothing at all.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said that it is clear that a London-style charging scheme, "which imposes cost irrespective of time of day, length of journey, origin and destination, is not right for Greater Manchester".

The congestion scheme, which could be in force by 2012, would cover central Manchester and other parts of the city-region where traffic hotspots have become an issue, such as the East Lancs in Salford.

Greater Manchester's transport executive is considering rolling out the latest technology, including satellite tracking, licence plate recognition and electronic tagging, to charge drivers.

Lord Peter Smith, chairman of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, said that because the city-region has the fastest growing economy outside London, improving the roads is vital to regeneration and job creation.

He added that the association is also developing "ambitious plans" to improve the public transport network "so that it offers a realistic alternative to the car for some journeys".



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