C-Charge Changes
Last-minute changes to the blueprint for a Greater Manchester congestion charge were revealed yesterday, in a bid to defuse business opposition only days before Friday’s vote by Greater Manchester’s 10 council leaders.
Many in Manchester’s business community have spoken out against the charge, most memorably, Chris Hopkins of Hydes Brewery in Moss Side, who said that his workers may end up paying £1,200 per year, just to drive to work.The maximum amount drivers can pay in one day has been cut from £10 to £5, even for multiple crossings and the boundaries of the inner and outer rings have been shifted.
Other changes to pacify the business community as well as residents at large are a 20% discount for low-paid workers and an assurance that those with medical appointments will not have to pay the charge.
If the changes are approved by council chiefs from the 10 Greater Manchester councils at a meeting on Friday, lorries will be spared the charge for its first year in operation, pending a study to investigate the savings from reduced congestion.
Workers at Trafford Park will also be exempt from paying the congestion charge until the planned tram network reaches the area in 2016.
The boundary changes include bringing Simister within the outer charging zone and Brinnington will move out. Parts of Salford and Ashton will also be affected.
The Chorlton boundary will run along Withington Road, putting the district outside the inner ring.
Chris Oglesby, chairman, said: "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."
The Greater Manchester Momentum Group, a business campaign against the congestion charge, welcomed the 20 per cent discount for people on the minimum wage but said it would add to the scheme's cost: "The massive size of the charging zone and the narrow focus of the transport improvements on moving people in and out of the city centre mean that public transport will remain an impractical option for many thousands of workers even with a discount."
Around 88000 local people have already aired their views on the congestion charge, which is coming under scrutiny nationwide, as major cities like Birmingham and Edinburgh have already turned down similar schemes.
The referendum in December will decide whether the application to the Transport Innovation Fund, which is promising £2.8bn of investment in return, is actually submitted to the government. A massive publicity campaign is being waged by both sides of the yes and no debate.
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