Manchester Evening News, 20 March 2007
Over the last fortnight, 1,000 people were interviewed in a telephone poll over congestion charging via the Manchester Evening News. The 21 March edition stated that just under two thirds of those polled were against this. However 59% stated they agreed with congestion charging - if the money was channelled towards Metrolink expansion.
For the Tameside area, just over two thirds of people were against congestion charging. 63% were in favour of this, if the money was channelled towards the Metrolink. Of the people polled, 41% travelled by car or motorbike, and 35% used public transport. Of the ten districts which make up the Greater Manchester area, Tameside people were the biggest public transport users in the survey. The most popular form of public transport was the train, with 44% of the poll. In second place was the bus.
Much noise has been made against the congestion charges over the last three months, with the implication it may have for the local economy. The greatest concern has been the number of people expecting to shop outside the proposed zone (could Glossop and Sheffield benefit?). Another has been the cost - which is something that should be taken to account (I stress this given that Tameside based employees have the lowest wages in Greater Manchester).
As a public transport user, I support the idea of congestion charging, but… (and I mean but) further investment in buses, trains and the Metrolink must be made - as stressed by the conditions made by central government. If no further investment is made, I will therefore renege on this opinion.
For the greater good, I suggest that:
No congestion charging should take place without the public ownership of local bus and rail services.
In other words, I advocate the return of Greater Manchester Transport or SHMD, or the imposition of a London style franchising system. How can central government stick to its policies properly if bus operators outside London can do anything they like with their services (see my previous post on the 343 route)?
S.V., 22/03/2007
