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Public will vote on C-charge

Chris Jones
25/ 7/2008

VOTERS in Middleton will get to vote on congestion charging.

The ten Association of Greater Manchester (AGMA) authorities agreed today (Friday) to hold a city-wide referendum on the issue, which is expected to take place in early December.

Voters will be asked if they want £2.8bn spent on public transport improvements in return for setting up a pay-as-you-drive system to cross the M60, and to enter to city centre, under the Transport Innovation (TIF) Proposals.

Lord Peter Smith, Leader of AGMA said: “At the last meeting we asked for an agreement towards a referendum and today’s news is an important step forward for the people of Greater Manchester who now have an opportunity to vote on one of the most important decisions this city region has seen for decades.

"People will have their say on whether they want to say yes to a transformed public transport system in Greater Manchester including a congestion charge to ensure their region can continue to prosper. It is all or nothing.”

Leaders at Friday's AGMA meeting agreed to a motion allowing for a referendum, the first in the city since 1975, along with plans to set up a sub-group to look into the detailed working of the referendum.

The current 14-week consultation, currently taking place to finalise the exact details of the TIF proposals voters will be asked to decide on, will continue as scheduled.

Lord Smith added: “It is critical now more than ever that people continue to take part in the consultation and I urge people to read the documents, visit the website and go to the exhibition vehicle to ensure they are clear on the facts and what they will be voting on.

"It’s important all views are heard and the public continue to input into the exact location of the charging rings and who won’t pay a charge.”

The outcome of the referendum will still need to be agreed at a meeting of AGMA leaders, as a binding referendum on all AGMA authorities is prohibited under its constitution.