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8:43 am, October 27, 2008
Proposed maximum congestion charge cut in half

The proposed maximum daily amount drivers will pay under the congestion charge has been halved from £10 to £5.

Trafford Park will also be granted a full exemption from the charge, rather than 50 per cent as previously envisaged, until Metrolink extension work is finished in the borough.

Both these changes have been recommended to the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) by the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority following the three-month consultation on the £2.7bn TIF package.

AGMA will meet on Friday to discuss the proposals and approved the package to be taken to government for final sign-off.

Proposals for other exemptions include disabled drivers, motorcyclists, hackney carriages, minicabs, emergency vehicles and registered-recovery and people on their way to a medical appointment. Bus and train fares could also be capped and low-paid workers will receive a 20 per cent reduction on all public transport fares at all times.

Chris Oglesby, chairman of United City, the pro-TIF business lobby, said: “These changes to the final package are a clear indication that the views of business have been taken on board in the development of the final TIF proposals.

“We have been campaigning hard since June for a full congestion charge exemption for all businesses based in Trafford Park ahead of the introduction of Metrolink. I am delighted to see that our comments on both this and the removal of multiple charging – recognising that repeat business journeys and deliveries at all times of the day contribute to a thriving economy – have been listened to.

“We have been lobbying for business on the transport plans and have no doubt this is the most business-friendly transport investment and congestion charging package in the world.

“With reduced congestion on the roads, better public transport and an improved environment, I cannot see why responsible businesses would oppose these plans.”

However, the Greater Manchester Momentum Group, the business coalition opposing the package, said the proposed changes were not enough.

“We are disappointed at such an insignificant response by AGMA to the flaws in what would be the world’s largest congestion charge scheme,” said a spokesman.

“Even after these changes many parts of Greater Manchester would see little if any improvement to public transport services.

“Who is to say whether the bus and train companies will agree to discounting their fares?

“AGMA had a chance to make real improvements and voters will see that they have done the least possible.”

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