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A secret poll can't be an accurate poll. If people don't know about it they weren't counted.

C-charge poll: The FULL result
Exclusive David Ottewell
21/ 8/2008

NOW we can reveal the FULL result of a poll on whether to have a congestion charge in Greater Manchester.

The M.E.N. has already told how the vote shows a majority of people in every one of the area's 10 boroughs support a deal which would mean a pay-to-drive scheme.

But now it has emerged that businesses are AGAINST the plan.

Council leaders have been told they can invest £3bn in public transport if they introduce the peak hour-only charge - and this issue will be settled in an area-wide referendum in December.

The M.E.N. this week disclosed details of a poll of more than 5,000 people, carried out as part of a £3m consultation in the run-up to the big vote.

It showed a majority of people in Greater Manchester's 10 boroughs thought their councils should accept the deal.

The M.E.N. has now obtained the full polling data - including the results of interviews with 1,002 businesses across the region.

We can reveal that half of company bosses OPPOSED the charge-for-cash deal, with 40pc saying they were `strongly' opposed.

Thirty per cent said they supported the bid, with 10pc giving strong support, and 20pc said they `tended' to support it.

Sixteen per cent said they neither supported nor opposed the bid, while four per cent said they did not know.

When asked a slightly different question - if they thought the councils should accept the deal - the results were very different.

Click here to see an interactive timeline on the congestion charge proposal.

Forty-two per cent said `Yes' and 45 per cent said `No'. The results suggest the wording of December's referendum will be crucial - and the deal will go ahead only if seven of the boroughs vote `Yes'.

The M.E.N. can also reveal that the people polled by Mori were asked not one, but TWO questions.

Asked if they thought councils should accept the deal, 53pc said `Yes' and 40pc `No', with majority support in each borough.

But when asked to what extent they PERSONALLY backed it, only 41pc said they either `strongly supported' or `tended to support' it, while 39pc were `strongly opposed' or `tended to oppose' it.

There were majorities in favour in only six of the boroughs.

For a full breakdown of results - plus analysis - click here to read David Ottewell's politics blog

Charge to miss key congestion
Exclusive David Ottewell
31/ 7/2008


HALF the cost of congestion to Greater Manchester is caused by traffic that never comes inside the M60, new figures have revealed.

Those drivers would NOT be hit by the planned peak-hour congestion charge.

The data is contained in the Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) bid submitted by Greater Manchester's 10 council leaders to the government.

The 301-page bid, which would see £3bn invested in public transport in return for the charge, has been released under the Freedom of Information act more than a month after it was accepted by ministers.

It contains detailed intelligence about the scale of congestion in Greater Manchester - including a formula that works out which journeys are hitting the region's economy by clogging the roads at key times.

During the morning peak times, 50 per cent of the cost of congestion is caused by traffic that never comes inside the circular M60.

Only 28 per cent is caused by traffic that crosses one of the two proposed charging bands - one just inside the motorway and one nearer the city centre - and WOULD be charged.

The rest is mainly caused by traffic travelling between the zones or away from Manchester. Neither group would have to pay the planned charge.

During the afternoon peak, 48 per cent of the cost of congestion to the economy is caused by traffic outside the M60. Again, only 28 per cent is caused by traffic that would be hit by the charge.

A spokewoman for the TIF bid said it was intended to target congestion `at the times and in the places' it was worst.

Dissapated

She said: "Congestion outside the M60 is more dissipated, and charging would not generate the same ratio of benefit to cost.

"The transport improvements are Greater Manchester-wide, so we would expect to see some form of impact on congestion [outside the M60] even without the incentive that charging provides. It just won't be as marked as inside the M60.

"The larger proportion of traffic movement is within the M60 and the congestion charge is only focused on the traffic heading into the city centre at peak times. You won't be charged to travel out of the city in the morning rush hour or to travel around within the rings, only if you cross a ring at the peak time in the morning. The same is true for the evening rush hour."

The public version of the bid - which has had some pages removed to protect `commercial sensitivity' - also reveals:

*Businesses would save £5.3bn in travel time over 60 years if the TIF package is introduced - more than the £4.8bn their staff would have to pay in charges

*Average car speeds towards Manchester city centre will drop from 15.6mph in 2006 to 12.8mph in 2021 without TIF - but increase to 16.3mph if it goes ahead.

The leaders of Greater Manchester's councils have decided to hold a public referendum on the bid in December.

The results are to be considered borough-by-borough and if people in seven or more council areas are in favour the schemes will go ahead.

The TIF bid can be viewed at gmpta.gov.uk

Call to move C-charge boundary
Carl Marsden
10/ 9/2008

THE ring of the proposed Manchester congestion charge zone should be moved to save families and businesses thousands, a council says.

The draft plans have the M60 as the 'outer' boundary of the payment zone.

But since the bid was announced, Oldham leaders say it has become increasingly clear that locating the charging boundary immediately to the south of the M60 in the town would create a number of difficulties for the borough. It would mean all traffic going to and from the Greengate industrial estate would be charged as it has to cross the M60.

Also, a proposed Metrolink park and ride facility at Hollinwood would be within the charging zone.

Council leader Howard Sykes is pushing for the outer ring to be moved nearer to Manchester. This means it would follow a new line running broadly along Mersey Road North, Tweedale Way, Hollinwood Avenue and Victoria Avenue to Greengate.

Coun Sykes said: "We have always recognised that the only way in which the proposed congestion charge could be introduced without any impact on Oldham would be for it to be on the Oldham/Manchester boundary. Anything which is based near the M60 is bound to have local impact. The proposals we are putting forward are intended to reduce that impact to a minimum."

Council chiefs say the new proposals place the outer charging ring at a sufficient distance south of the M60 to allow for local journeys in Hollinwood to be made without crossing the zone.

Coun Sykes added: "The whole purpose of the road charging policy is to reduce peak-hour congestion clogging up the main roads of Manchester.

"The intention is not, and never has been, to penalise Oldham families and businesses who happen to live or operate on the Manchester side of the M60."

TIF documents released under the Freedom of Information Act

As soon as they become worn out

End of era as loop line is replaced

26/ 9/2008


ALMOST 130 years of railway history will come to an end with the replacement of a historic line with a tram service.

A start date has been agreed for work to replace the Oldham loop line through Shaw, Derker, Mumps, Werneth, Hollinwood, Failsworth and Dean Lane with a Metrolink tram line.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive will work closely with the bus operators to look at how the existing bus network can be boosted while the line is upgraded in a year's time.

They intend to carry out passenger surveys to find out where people are travelling from as well as their final destinations.

Work is due to begin on October 3, 2009 and, as a result, passengers will only be

able to buy annual season tickets to and from train stations on the Oldham and Rochdale line up until Saturday, October 4 this year.

Trains will continue to run as normal through Mills Hill on the line between Manchester, Rochdale and Leeds while the work takes place.

The £575m expansion of the Metrolink network to Oldham and Rochdale, Droylsden, and Chorlton in South Manchester will go ahead whatever the result of the congestion charge referendum in December.

If the poll gets a yes and TIF bid is granted, the Metrolink line will also go through Oldham and Rochdale town centres as well as to Manchester Airport, Ashton under Lyne, and eventually, the Trafford Centre.

Philip Purdy, GMPTE's Metrolink director, said: "I'm delighted that we've now got a date confirmed for work to start on building a brand new Metrolink line to Oldham and Rochdale.

"As well as replacing the existing train stations with Metrolink stops, we'll be building six new stops. The track will be upgraded and we've already ordered new trams to run on the line.

"The new tram service will be more than twice as frequent as the existing train service, and will provide a direct link into the heart of Manchester city centre and beyond. It will also make it much easier to reach other destinations across Greater Manchester using public transport.

"People will obviously have to change how they make their journeys while the work takes place, but I hope they will agree that the new tram line will be worth the wait."

New Metrolink stops will be built at Monsall, Central Park, South Chadderton, Freehold, Newbold and outside Rochdale railway station on the Oldham and Rochdale line.

Two large Park & Ride sites will be created at Hollinwood and Derker and improvements will be made to the parking at Shaw and Crompton and at other stops on the line, taking the total number of spaces to more than 250.

The new Metrolink line is due to open to trams between Manchester and Central Park in spring 2011.

Trams are expected to begin running to Oldham Mumps in autumn 2011, and to Rochdale in spring 2012. Services will run between Shaw and Crompton and Manchester every 6 minutes, and between Rochdale and Manchester every 12 minutes, when the route opens.

Although Mumps and Werneth stations date back to the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway of the1840s, they were then served by a steep line from Middleton Junction which was replaced in 1880 by the current more direct line from Thorpes Bridge.

Pro.manchester wants C-charge facts
kevin feddy
25/ 9/2008


THE organisation representing law, accountancy and other professional firms across Manchester said today its members back significant investment in public transport improvements but want more consultation over the congestion charge.

Pro.manchester, which represents 280 firms employing 214,000 people, says the bodies supporting and opposing the charge - United City and the Greater Manchester Momentum Group respectively - `still have work to do' to convince businesses of their arguments.

Daniel Mouawad, chief executive of pro.manchester, said today: "Our extensive consultation with members confirms the need for more debate and closer engagement with our sector."

percentage of the overall yes or no vote isn;t a deciding factor Even if the people of Manchester vote "yes" -it may not go ahead if the government do not think it economically viable.

Congestion fee question drafted

A referendum on the charge will be held in December
The wording of the referendum question on the introduction of a congestion charge for Greater Manchester has been drafted.

Almost £3bn in government funds will be be invested in public transport across the county if approved but only if the charge is introduced by 2013.

The proposed wording for the December ballot is: Do you agree with the Transport Innovation Fund proposals? Greater Manchester's 10 council leaders will vote on the wording on 31 October.

The question does not make any direct reference to the actual congestion charge.

'Absurd' wording

Graham Brady, Conservative MP for Altrincham and Sale West, said: "By all means it can mention the Transport Innovation Fund and therefore the money which might be involved in some public transport projects but vitally it has got to mention the tax.

"To have a referendum on the introduction of a congestion charge which doesn't even mention the congestion charge is absurd."

The proposed preamble and question for the referendum was drawn up by Sir Neil McIntosh, the independent returning officer for the referendum, who said he believed his question was "fair, clear and balanced".

"In drawing it up I had to ensure that it accurately reflected fundamental aspects of the proposals and did not lead people in one direction or the other," he said.

The impact of the congestion charge will be felt by everybody in Greater Manchester through higher cost of living and possible job losses

Sean Corker, Manchester Against Road Tolls

"I concluded that a straightforward 'yes' or 'no' question was the easiest to understand.

"However, I consider that it is also necessary for this to be accompanied by accurate neutral information explaining the proposals."

Although opponents of the congestion charge, Manchester Against Road Tolls (MART), believe the wording for the referendum question is fair, they say both sides should be given the opportunity to put their arguments in the accompanying information leaflets sent out with the ballot papers.

They are due to be dispatched in late November following a three-month public consultation over the proposed scheme which ended on Friday.

Sean Corker, spokesman for MART, said: "So far the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) information campaign has been misleading and biased and anything but neutral.

"The fact is, the scheme will only benefit those travelling into the city centre with the rest of Greater Manchester benefitting very little from the proposals.

"The impact of the congestion charge will be felt by everybody in Greater Manchester through higher cost of living and possible job losses."

Under the proposals for the charge - which is expected to cost £318m to set up - motorists would have to pay to cross the M60 and a second ring around the city centre at peak times.

A capped day pass of £10 is proposed for drivers, such as some delivery vehicles which cross charging rings repeatedly at peak times

THE congestion charge Yes Campaign is being investigated over claims it offered to help voters fill out their ballot papers.

Anti-charge campaigners say a promotional leaflet posted to every household in Greater Manchester breaches referendum guidelines.

The leaflet reads: "You should have received your voting form. If you haven't received it or need any help completing your form, please contact the Yes office." It then gives the number of the Yes Campaign office above that of the official referendum hotline.

Bolton's 'NO' to congestion charge
7:50am Wednesday 26th November 2008

By Nick Lakeman » Play Video

A MASSIVE majority of Bolton residents are opposed to the congestion charge planned for Greater Manchester, an online poll by The Bolton News has revealed.

We published views of the town's three main political party leaders and asked readers which they most agreed with.

An overwhelming number placed a tick in the box next to Tory, Cllr John Walsh's name.

Cllr Walsh is vehemently opposed to the congestion charge, while his political rivals, council and Labour Group leader, Cliff Morris, and Lib Dem leader Roger Hayes, broadly back it.

The Bolton Conservative Group leader said last night: "I'm not surprised by the result but very pleased."

Cllr Walsh polled 82 per cent of the votes, with Cllr Morris receiving 13 per cent and Cllr Hayes getting five per cent.



We went onto the streets of Bolton to see what the public thinks in our special video

The congestion charge forms part of a £3 billion application for cash - known as the TIF bid - to improve Greater Manchester's public transport network. The cash will only be made available if a majority of people back the bid which includes the congestion charge.

As the closing day for votes - December 11 - draws closer, more details about how each borough could potentially benefit are emerging.

A high-speed bus service from Bolton to Manchester through Farnworth and Kearsley will feature tram-like articulated carriages and state-of-the-art bus shelters, according to TIF bid officials. Special bus lanes would be built to help commuters avoid congestion and bus stops fitted with CCTV and tannoys would keep travellers safe and informed.

Waiting times would be reduced by the introduction of integrated "Smartcard"

ticketing on bus services across Greater Manchester.

And Bolton has been promised a new town centre transport interchange and £3 million of improvements at Bromley Cross railway station.

Residents are now getting the chance to vote for real on the proposals as ballot papers are in the process of being mailed out.

By Friday, November 28, everyone who is eligible to vote should have received their papers, with the deadline for voting closing at 10pm on Thursday, December 11.

Once the ballot closes, Bolton Council, along with the other Greater Manchester authorities, will then have the final vote. Bolton Council has agreed to vote in line with its residents' verdict.

Here’s how the leaders of Bolton’s three main political parties will use their own vote and how you voted in our special online poll:

Councillor Cliff Morris, leader of Bolton’s Labour group and leader of Bolton Council:

YES “The fundamental reason why I am voting ‘yes’ is that I believe the benefits of the overall package for Bolton significantly outweigh the disadvantages.

I am obviously concerned that those who travel by car will have to pay once the improvements to public transport have been made and the congestion charge is introduced in 2013.

But I am reassured that many will not pay, including blue badge-holders, patients who regularly attend hospitals or specialist health facilities, motorcycles, taxis and emergency and recovery vehicles.

The reasons I will be voting ‘yes’ are: l there is no congestion charge for Bolton (this is something I could never support) l the majority of people in Bolton will never pay the charge but will see the benefits l only those who travel inside the M60 will pay anything at all and only at peak times on weekdays l we must do something radical to cut congestion in Greater Manchester because it harms our economy and environment l this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for £3billion of investment in public transport, half from the Government l there are big benefits for Bolton with a new £30 million interchange and improvements to bus and train services I urge everyone to study the proposals in detail and believe that most of you will agree that there is much for Bolton to gain from the proposals.”

Councillor John Walsh, leader of Bolton’s Conservative group:

NO “I will be voting ‘no’ and I want to explain a few of the reasons why you should also vote ‘no’ Despite denials by its supporters, congestion charges will hit everyone. Just getting to work in Manchester by car will cost over £1,000 a year more.

Businesses in Manchester and delivery companies will have to pass on their increased costs to all customers.

The expensive advertising campaign supporting congestion charging is wrong. Everyone will pay more either directly or indirectly.

All for what? The possibility of a few extra re-conditioned railway carriages — we are not even promised new ones — on some peak period trains, more bus lanes and a rebuilt bus station, not a transport interchange.

This will only be linked by a footbridge to the existing Trinity Street Station and possibly open just a few months earlier than previously planned.

Leaflets from Greater Manchester’s Labour-controlled councils supporting the bid show Bolton as a ‘possible future congestion charge zone’, so we have no guarantee that congestion charging will not be extended.

Motorists already pay excessive taxes for fuel, on road fund tax, insurance tax and like everyone else general taxes.

The congestion charge is just another stealth tax.

It is a bad deal for Bolton so putting Bolton first, I will be voting ‘no’.”

Councillor Roger Hayes, leader of Bolton’s Liberal Democrat group:

YES “It was Bolton Liberal Democrats who ensured that you got a vote.

We have a promise from the leader of the council that Bolton will follow the wishes of its voters as expressed in the referendum whatever the result and we will keep him to his word.

It is a difficult decision. On one hand we have extra tax on most motorists who go into Manchester at peak times.

On the other hand we have £3 billion improvements for public transport, and the promise of reduced congestion, less pollution and safeguarding of future jobs.

Even a £3 billion investment will not give us as good a public transport system as exists in many cities in Europe.

The proposed rail improvements do not go far enough. The measures to reduce ‘the school run’ congestion are too timid.

Of most concern, the Government has not given the powers needed to control and regulate the bus companies to ensure a guaranteed improvement in bus services and control over fares.

If the proposal is rejected, there is no ‘Plan B’. The investment will not come from any other source.

Mainly for that reason I will be voting ‘yes’ — it is important for the local environment, local jobs and most local people to have a better public transport system. There are others in my party whose views I respect who will be voting ‘no’, but everybody must make up their own mind.”