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Decision due on congestion vote Public to decide C-charge future
(about 5 hours later)
A decision on whether the people of Greater Manchester will get to vote on plans for a congestion charge is expected to be made later. The people of Greater Manchester will decide whether a congestion charge is introduced in the region.
The leaders of all 10 authorities in the region are discussing using a public referendum to make the decision. The leaders of all 10 authorities met on Friday and unanimously agreed to a public referendum on the issue, likely to be held in December.
Government funding towards £2.8bn worth of public transport investment depends on the launch of the scheme in 2013.Government funding towards £2.8bn worth of public transport investment depends on the launch of the scheme in 2013.
Motorists would be charged for crossing the M60 and a second ring around the city centre at peak times.Motorists would be charged for crossing the M60 and a second ring around the city centre at peak times.
Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese has said he would back a vote if all the councils agreed to abide by the result. The unanimous decision was reached by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) on Friday. It's all or nothing Lord Peter Smith, leader of AGMA
Public consultation Residents of all 10 boroughs will vote yes or no to one question, it was confirmed, although the wording is yet to be agreed.
Bury, Stockport and Trafford councils are all opposed to the peak-time charge, which would be capped at £10 a day. Lord Peter Smith, leader of AGMA said: "Today's news is an important step forward for the people of Greater Manchester who now have an opportunity to vote on one of the most important decisions this city region has seen for decades.
Speaking before the meeting, Sir Richard told BBC Radio Manchester it was essential everyone agreed on the vote. "People will have their say on whether they want to say yes to a transformed public transport system in Greater Manchester including a congestion charge to ensure their region can continue to prosper.
"I think to make a Greater Manchester wide referendum work then every local authority needs to sign up for it," he said. "It is all or nothing."
"I think it would be pretty appalling if there was going to be a local authority that would say 'No, we're not going to let the people of Greater Manchester have their say'." Transport bosses said the investment would be split across 30 different public transport schemes across Greater Manchester's 10 boroughs.
Transport bosses say the investment would be split across 30 different public transport schemes across Greater Manchester's 10 boroughs. They have pledged to have at least 80% of the improvements in place before the charge is introduced in 2013.
And they have pledged to have at least 80% of the improvements in place before the charge is introduced in 2013. Extra trains
These will include the Metrolink extension to Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester Airport, Rochdale town centre and Oldham town centre.These will include the Metrolink extension to Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester Airport, Rochdale town centre and Oldham town centre.
Extra trains and buses and improved stations have also been promised.Extra trains and buses and improved stations have also been promised.
Opponents of the road charge say transport improvements should be funded by other means. Opponents of the road charge said transport improvements should be funded by other means.
A public consultation on the scheme is currently taking place. A public consultation on the scheme is currently taking place and is not affected by the referendum decision.
At the end of the consultation feedback from the public will shape the final package that will be put to a vote, AGMA said.