Manchester says NO to Congestion Charge!

[IDontKnow]

The results of the referendum for the Transport Inovation Fund package and peak time congestion charge were revealed at just after 12:20 on December 12th in which all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester resoundingly rejected the proposals.

This comes after weeks of campaigning on both sides but hole were picked in the Yes Campaign and there use of false propaganda shot themselves in the foot in the end. 79% of Greater Manchester did not want the congestion charge in the end and there was around a 50% voter turnout - much higher than for most other general and local elections.

Even in the "Yes" campaign stronghold of Manchester City Council for every 1 yes vote there were 3 no votes.

This result means that the TIF package will not be implemented however when questioned the Department for Transport confirmed there would still be a £1.5 billion investment in Greater Manchester public transport rather than the £2.8 billion proposed.

The Yes campaign, as well as the government, tried to hide the fact that even if the bill was rejected that £1.5 billion would still be invested.

I personally find this a betrayal by the government and a attempt to influence the vote.

I would hope in light of these matter that the Gordon Brown will make a speech to explain the governments actions and that Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon would tender his resignation in light of this gross misuse of authority.

[AlexOC]

THank **** for that!

I wasn't gonna pay anyway!

MANCHESTA!

[IDontKnow]

THank **** for that!

I wasn't gonna pay anyway!

MANCHESTA!

I'm very happy, my terminally ill grandad lives 5 mins drive away, would cost me £3.50 ever time we drove there, it's stupid.

[Immenseman]

because none of them can afford it, lol.

[AlexOC]

because none of them can afford it, lol.

Haha, erm no?

Cos its stupid that we have to pay to go through our own city.

[IDontKnow]

Haha, erm no?

Cos its stupid that we have to pay to go through our own city.

Bingo. I live in Middleton and I'm just inside the zone, JUST.

[xxMATTGxx]

Its not that we all can't afford it, but there is a credit crunch going on. But yeah its stupid, we should get these" public transport improvements" without having to pay a stupid congestion charge.

[Minstrels]

Good, it was a joke. Shame the Government will say no to our request for around £4,000,000 to expand the tram system to areas such as Rochdale. Our Government is a joke. Spends all it's money in London and then expects cities like Manchester to earn them more money.

[AlexOC]

Manchester is the 2nd capital of england

we demand money

[IDontKnow]

Good, it was a joke. Shame the Government will say no to our request for around £4,000,000 to expand the tram system to areas such as Rochdale. Our Government is a joke. Spends all it's money in London and then expects cities like Manchester to earn them more money.

Getting to Rochdale is a nightmare. I have to travel there to work every day and it takes me like 40 minutes on the 17, pee take.