Manchester congestion charge

[noidea]

True Mr Idea, however, when you vote in an election you are voting for someone to represent you hence it's split accordingly. This is a vote on one idea, no personalities, the chargin system will be homegenous throughout Greater Manchester, so why not a first past the post, Do you want it or not? IT's almost undemocratic in the way they are presenting it.

Yeah, who is bringing this congestion charge? Is it solely labour or other parties involved too?? I can't see labour staying in power... Gordon was the first main mistake... is this going to be the last?

 

[Duke Fame]

Yeah, who is bringing this congestion charge? Is it solely labour or other parties involved too?? I can't see labour staying in power... Gordon was the first main mistake... is this going to be the last?

It is slightly party political but that seems to have gone by the by. The local Labour MP is against, the Labour town clerk is finding himself isolated in that he hoped this whole plan would be his pension, the Tories are generally against and Liberals re becoming more anti now.

 

[stockdam]

There are some important concepts to understand here (I certainly haven't a clear idea of the reasons why this is being done).

Is it to reduce congestion or is it a way of raising tax and wrapping it up as something that seems good?

It is to reduce pollution? I hear this being mentioned but why just do it then in some cities.......in my view it's nothing to do with reducing pollution but pollution reduction is thrown in as it's a nice vote catcher.

Is it to force people to use a poorly planned out public transport system? If so then those who introduced the charge need to seriously look at the failings of the transport system.......people will use the best method of transport. Do politicians really believe that people love queueing in traffic? I used public transport in Dublin for one month and I have to admit that I was so glad to go back to using my car. I had a 20 minute walk to the train (cos the car park is inadequate) and then 30 minutes in the train. I then had a 20 minute walk to the tram and 15 minutes in the tram. At the end I had to walk 30 minutes to work. So the total time was almost 2 hours ........ err it takes me 45 minutes by car and is cheaper. Ok so I wasn't heading into the city centre (although I had to because that's the way public transport took me) but why would I want to use public transport if my total journey time is more than double?

If politicians want people to use public transport then taxing them out of their cars is not the solution.

Last point........

We used to have country schools and local hospitals. These were all closed down in favour of bigger more efficient ones. So what's the knock on effect.........congestion. Instead of walking to school, kids are often taken several miles into the nearest big town to go to school and this all adds to congestion.

So a large part of the problem is making decisions without properly understanding the implications.

 

[noidea]

I guess the government has the advantages of the nationwide free bus pass for older residents meaning they are likely to vote for the congestion charge.

 

[Duke Fame]

So has everyone voted yet? I attended a debate at the MEN for channel 'M' and I've never come accross so many airy fairy pie in the sky uddled thinkers as the 'yes' campaigners.

The plan is a very stupid way of reducing a congestion problem that hardly exists and is becoming less of a problem.

To borrow £1,250,000,000 just to get a grant to spend money on silly plans that do not provide any effective solution to transport.

Vote NO!!