This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/7523997.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Public to decide C-charge future | Public to decide C-charge future |
| (39 minutes later) | |
| The people of Greater Manchester will decide whether a congestion charge is introduced in the region. | The people of Greater Manchester will decide whether a congestion charge is introduced in the region. |
| 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. | 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. |
| But the results will be broken down by borough and only if seven out of 10 vote yes will the scheme go ahead. | |
| Government funding towards £2.8bn worth of public transport investment depends on the charge's introduction 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. |
| The decision was reached by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) on Friday. It's all or nothing Lord Peter Smith, leader of AGMA | |
| Residents of all 10 boroughs will vote yes or no to one question, it was confirmed, although the wording is yet to be agreed. | Residents of all 10 boroughs will vote yes or no to one question, it was confirmed, although the wording is yet to be agreed. |
| 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. | 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. |
| "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. | "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. |
| "It is all or nothing." | "It is all or nothing." |
| Although welcoming the poll, campaign group National Alliance Against Tolls (NAAT) said it had doubts about the fairness of the campaign. | |
| "Any sort of vote is considerably better than the scheme being bulldozed through by the authorities," said spokesman John McGoldrick. | |
| Tram expansion | |
| But he said the resulting vote was likely to be held under section 116 of the Local Government Act 2003, which he argued would not be a true referendum. | |
| "These polls are not subject to any rules and it means that the authorities can continue to spend millions on their promotion campaign," added Mr McGoldrick. | |
| Transport bosses said the investment would be split across 30 different public transport schemes across Greater Manchester's 10 boroughs. | Transport bosses said 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. | They have pledged to have at least 80% of the improvements in place before the charge is introduced in 2013. |
| 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. |
| A consultation on the scheme is currently taking place and feedback from the public will shape the final package that will be put to a vote, AGMA said. | |