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It's time to put toll tax to the vote

31/ 1/2008

CONTROVERSIAL congestion charging is set to return to the top of the agenda at next week's full council meeting.

Middleton Township - which has been against the plans from the start - will be forcing a full council vote on the pay-as-you-drive plans at the 6 February meeting.

And councillors hope the move will show the true feeling of the borough's representatives.

As reported last year, despite huge local objection and Middleton, Heywood and Pennines townships all voicing their opposition to the plans, Rochdale Cabinet decided to support the scheme.

But in December, Bury became the third local authority in Greater Manchester – joining Stockport and Trafford – in voting against congestion charging which left only seven out of 10 authorities supporting the move.

Under the terms of the bid by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities for a £3bn share of the government's Transport Innovation Fund, there must be a least two thirds of the councils in favour.

Which means, if only one more authority rebels, the bid could go ahead only if there was a referendum.

Councillors now hope the full council meeting will reveal how the borough feels and force Rochdale Cabinet to re-think its stance.

Next week will also mark the official handing over of the Middleton Guardian petition which has attracted thousands of signatures from local businesses, residents and commuters who have been left outraged by the plans.

The Guardian's ‘Say No’ campaign – in conjunction with our sister paper, The Advertiser – began early last year as soon as the controversial pay-as-you-drive plans were announced. Since then it has garnered widespread support and will now be delivered to MP Graham Stringer tomorrow (Friday 1 February) before being passed on to Transport Secretary, Ruth Kelly.

Both Mr Stringer and Middleton MP Jim Dobbin are opposed to the congestion charge.