Greater Manchester’s Labour leaders might be running away from the debate about the congestion charge, but it seems in one small part of Manchester they do things differently.
Manchester City Centre Conservative candidate (and Chairman of Manchester Conservatives) Rob Adlard will be joined by his Council opponents and others for a debate on congestion charging on Wednesday March 19th. The debate is being held at the Central Methodist Hall on Oldham Street in central Manchester, starting at 6.30pm.
It should be an interesting evening and all are welcome to attend.
Looking forward to it.
Have added it to the front of the MCF website
Dear Sirs
Unfortunately I cannot attend the meeting on 19th March due to a prior engagement however, I would like to make the following comment.
There is a huge flaw in the plans to introduce congestion charging.
First of all, how many people who have no access to a reasonable public transport link into the city can afford to pay an additional £100 per month out of a household budget that is experiencing a massive squeeze due to increases in mortgage and energy costs.
My second point is, There significant numbers of people who will NOT fall into the catchment areas of Metrolink Phase 3. To make Metrolink Phase 3 more user friendly and to keep cars out of the city there is a need for the planners to consider building adequate car parks at each of the stations, similar to the Munich model.
For those who cannot afford to pay a further £100 congestion charge on top of an estimate £200/month in fuel and parking costs there is only one alternative. To look for a job closer to home.
Businesses that cannot afford to offset their staffs additional costs will find it harder to recruit and will move away from the city centre, creating a business zone that only the corporate blue chip companies can afford.
I dont entirely disagree with congestion charging however, I do believe that If an adequate public transport system is in place first, then the economy of the city will suffer.
Regards
Peter Shore