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10Nov08

CONGESTION CHARGE 'NO' CAMPAIGN

Stretford and Urmston Conservatives were out in force this weekend in Urmston town centre, signing up residents to the 'No' petition against the Congestion Charge.

Parliamentary Candidate, Mark Versallion, said the take-up was thick and fast with an almost constant queue at the petition table. Seven of the ten Manchester Councils voted to hold the referendum and it is regarded by most that the same seven boroughs will in favour of having the scheme. However, this has not dampened the No campaign, which has seen a huge increase in the number of people signing its petition against the charge scheme. Trafford, Bury and Stockport Councils are not in favour of the scheme.

The result of the referendum will be announced on 12 December. If voted for by seven of the ten boroughs, motorists will face a daily charge to drive into any part of Manchester within the M60 ring road. It would be Britain's largest congestion zone and like other schemes will undoubtedly see prices increase once approved. London's charges rose by 60% after just two years.

Cllr Mark Versallion said, "The charge will force low paid drivers who need to use a car, such as nurses and teachers, to either pay the charge which they can hardly afford to pay, or seek employment outside Manchester. The same goes for small business."

"I spoke to a couple who told me of their self-employed son who is a mechanic and travels around Manchester, who will be forced to relocate and take his business to other towns and cities. This is the same for many small businesses who will see less customers coming inside the M60 to avoid the charge, resulting in business closing down. This is relevant to everyone, as there are adverse effects for our communities if businesses close and consequently unemployment rises."

"There are alternatives that should be explored," Cllr Versallion added, "such as sorting out problem junctions and traffic light phasing; using 'no stopping' red routes; providing sufficient yellow school buses for all of Greater Manchester's schools; and demanding much better value for money from schemes such as the Metrolink expansion which will cost £1.2 billion for just 18 miles of track!"

Mark Versallion said, "If Saturday was anything to go by then it's clear the people of Stretford and Urmston will vote a resounding No against this unfair scheme. Other cities like Edinburgh and Birmingham have said 'No' to congestion charging and I hope Manchester does as well." He added, "Given the thousands of petition signatures and the strong opposition in this borough and others, it would be political suicide for Labour to ignore residents' concerns and force this costly scheme upon us.

"Towing the party line, our current Labour MP is in favour of this scheme despite the vast majority of her constituents' opposing it. Once again Stretford and Urmston is denied having its views and concerns voiced in Government or Parliament." The referendum on whether Greater Manchester will have the scheme is set for 11 December.