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A £3bn investment - but at what price?

Laura Thistlethwaite
12/ 6/2008

PLANS to implement congestion charging in return for major public transport improvements have divided opinion across south Manchester.

While some residents and businesses were glad of the boost, others said the announcement was a ‘double-edged sword’, fearing that while there would be major improvements with the Metrolink extension across south Manchester and enhanced bus services along the Wilmslow Road corridor, a congestion charge would hit the poorest most.

In order to grant £3billion of investment across tram, bus and rail services, seven out of ten Greater Manchester councils must approve the charge.

The money will be paid back over a 30 year period, mainly from the proceeds of the new peak-time fee – up to £5 a day – imposed on motorists entering the city.

Charlotte Smith, from the Friends of Levenshulme, said: "It’s not a progressive tax. We should be getting investment in public transport anyway and not being held to ransom in this way. Most people would use public transport anyway if it was better, this has all been done back to front – the council should have improved bus routes anyway.

"This way, it will just end up forcing the poorest people off the roads."

Ashit Sinha, 72, of The Circuit, Didsbury, said: "In terms of the public’s wider interests the congestion charge is good because the transport system is getting such a tremendous boost. For the future it is good, but at present it is hard for a lot of people to be happy with because the price of everything is going up."

Sheila McVitty, 38, owner of Pixie Childrenswear in Didsbury, said: "It’s a double edged sword. The Metrolink might bring more people to Didsbury, but then congestion charging might also put them off. The council needs to do all it can to encourage local businesses and I’m a bit concerned that people from outside Manchester won’t come and visit if they have to pay. But with the best will in the world, the people who tend to visit Didsbury have a high disposable income and will always drive."

However, Metrolink campaigner and former Labour councillor, Geoff Bridson, of Arthog Road, Didsbury, said the most important thing was getting the much-needed public transport boost.

The funding will extend the Metrolink, provide a bus rapid transit route along Oxford Road, increase car parking spaces around Metro stations and add new rail stock designed to carry more passengers.

A new ‘smartcard’ will be introduced to be used on all public transport.

Mr Bridson said: "To get £3bn is fantastic news, when I first started campaigning for the expansion 30 years ago we anticipated a cost of £300m! I was starting to think I would never see it in my life time. The only obstacle is now to ensure a majority yes vote for the congestion charge, but it certainly looks as though everything we hoped for is going to happen."

But Burnage mum-of-one, Anne Crook, 32, of Green Acres Drive, said: "I don’t think congestion charging will have a great effect because I’ve seen the lack of change in London and I’m sceptical improvements will actually happen."