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/7778110.stm
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Voters reject congestion charge | Voters reject congestion charge |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The people of Greater Manchester have voted against plans to introduce a congestion charge in the region. | The people of Greater Manchester have voted against plans to introduce a congestion charge in the region. |
| Nearly two million people were asked if they supported a peak-time road charge which would open up a £2.8bn investment in regional transport. | Nearly two million people were asked if they supported a peak-time road charge which would open up a £2.8bn investment in regional transport. |
| A majority of voters in all of the region's 10 boroughs voted against the controversial plans. | A majority of voters in all of the region's 10 boroughs voted against the controversial plans. |
| It means the application for government Transport Innovation Fund (TiF) cash will not now go ahead. | It means the application for government Transport Innovation Fund (TiF) cash will not now go ahead. |
| The overall turnout across the 12 local authorities was about 53.2% with 1,033,000 people casting their vote. | The overall turnout across the 12 local authorities was about 53.2% with 1,033,000 people casting their vote. |
| The failed plan aimed to create the biggest road congestion zone in the UK, charging drivers up to £5 a day to use Greater Manchester's roads. | The failed plan aimed to create the biggest road congestion zone in the UK, charging drivers up to £5 a day to use Greater Manchester's roads. |
| Manchester votes against C-charge | Manchester votes against C-charge |
| Immediately after the result was announced, officials in the 'Yes' campaign told BBC News they were "disappointed with the voting turnout". | Immediately after the result was announced, officials in the 'Yes' campaign told BBC News they were "disappointed with the voting turnout". |
| Jason Torrence, who supported the charge, said: "This is a sad day. This was a innovative solution which would have put Manchester in the premier league of cities in the world." | Jason Torrence, who supported the charge, said: "This is a sad day. This was a innovative solution which would have put Manchester in the premier league of cities in the world." |
| Chris Hopkins, chief executive of Hydes Brewery in Moss Side, who was part of the 'No' campaign, said the charge of up to £1,200 a year on his employees was just too much for the promised improvements in public transport. | Chris Hopkins, chief executive of Hydes Brewery in Moss Side, who was part of the 'No' campaign, said the charge of up to £1,200 a year on his employees was just too much for the promised improvements in public transport. |
| He added: "I'm very pleased with the outcome. It's just unfortunate a lot of time and money and effort has gone into it. | He added: "I'm very pleased with the outcome. It's just unfortunate a lot of time and money and effort has gone into it. |
| "We thought it was ill conceived and the people of Manchester did as well." | "We thought it was ill conceived and the people of Manchester did as well." |
| The plans needed a majority in favour in at least seven local authorities to get the go-ahead. | The plans needed a majority in favour in at least seven local authorities to get the go-ahead. |
| VOTING TURNOUT (%) Bolton, 48.8Bury, 57.4Manchester, 46.1Oldham, 54.4Rochdale, 50.8Salford, 57Stockport, 59Tameside, 60.7Trafford, 63.6Wigan, 45.3 | |
| Councillor Margaret Eaton, chairman of the Local Government Association, said: "Manchester's decision is a good example of local people having their say about the things that affect them most and deciding what's right for their area. | Councillor Margaret Eaton, chairman of the Local Government Association, said: "Manchester's decision is a good example of local people having their say about the things that affect them most and deciding what's right for their area. |
| "These decisions should always be made by local people, not politicians in Whitehall." | "These decisions should always be made by local people, not politicians in Whitehall." |
| Those against the proposals claimed the charge would have been an unfair tax on motorists, while those in favour had maintained it was a chance to create the best public transport system in the UK. | Those against the proposals claimed the charge would have been an unfair tax on motorists, while those in favour had maintained it was a chance to create the best public transport system in the UK. |
| Motorists would have paid to cross two charging rings at peak times. The outer ring roughly follows the M60 orbital motorway, while the inner ring surrounds Manchester city centre. | Motorists would have paid to cross two charging rings at peak times. The outer ring roughly follows the M60 orbital motorway, while the inner ring surrounds Manchester city centre. |
| Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, which has the lowest turnout said: "The referendum has given a very clear outcome. | Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, which has the lowest turnout said: "The referendum has given a very clear outcome. |
| "I'm sure the economic downturn, which is hitting everyone hard, has had a part to play. | "I'm sure the economic downturn, which is hitting everyone hard, has had a part to play. |
| "Investment in public transport in Manchester will remain a priority for the city council and our commitment to face up to the challenges going forward remains undiminished." | "Investment in public transport in Manchester will remain a priority for the city council and our commitment to face up to the challenges going forward remains undiminished." |