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Congestion fee question drafted Congestion fee question drafted
(about 5 hours later)
The wording of the referendum question on the introduction of a congestion charge for Greater Manchester has been drafted.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.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?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.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.The question does not make any direct reference to the actual congestion charge.
'Absurd' wording'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.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.""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".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."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 TollsThe 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."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.""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.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.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.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 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." 'Real issues'
A spokeswoman for The Yes Campaign said businesses in favour of the charge could not understand "attacks on the integrity of the returning officer".
"Now the question has been published we should be getting on with a debate about the real issues," she added.
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.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.A capped day pass of £10 is proposed for drivers, such as some delivery vehicles which cross charging rings repeatedly at peak times.