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/6918585.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Councils vote for C-charge plan Councils vote for C-charge plan
(about 1 hour later)
Council bosses in Manchester have voted in favour of pushing ahead with the controversial congestion charge.Council bosses in Manchester have voted in favour of pushing ahead with the controversial congestion charge.
The 10 local authorities met to decide whether to submit a bid for government transport funding, which would bring a charging scheme to the city.The 10 local authorities met to decide whether to submit a bid for government transport funding, which would bring a charging scheme to the city.
The charge, which could be up to £5, would be dependent on a £3bn overhaul of public transport links.The charge, which could be up to £5, would be dependent on a £3bn overhaul of public transport links.
Two councils, Trafford and Stockport, voted against the bid, while the other eight all voted in support.Two councils, Trafford and Stockport, voted against the bid, while the other eight all voted in support.
Supporters of the charge say it is essential to the region's economic future, but opponents claim it would actually damage business.Supporters of the charge say it is essential to the region's economic future, but opponents claim it would actually damage business.
The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) is to vote on whether to bid for £1.2bn from the government's Transport Innovation Fund (TIF).The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) is to vote on whether to bid for £1.2bn from the government's Transport Innovation Fund (TIF).
Will charging work?Will charging work?
The cash would be spent on an extension to the Metrolink tram system and more investment in buses and trains.The cash would be spent on an extension to the Metrolink tram system and more investment in buses and trains.
The peak time road pricing scheme would involve two charging rings - one at the M60, the other close to the city centre.The peak time road pricing scheme would involve two charging rings - one at the M60, the other close to the city centre.
Entering the outer cordon would cost £2, with a further levy of £1 to get into the centre. An extra £1 would be charged to leave each of the zones.Entering the outer cordon would cost £2, with a further levy of £1 to get into the centre. An extra £1 would be charged to leave each of the zones.
Drivers will pay a deposit for an electronic tag, which will monitor journeys on 15 main routes into the city in the busy morning and evening periods.Drivers will pay a deposit for an electronic tag, which will monitor journeys on 15 main routes into the city in the busy morning and evening periods.
Stockport Council's decision to reject the charge followed a survey which found that 67% of Stockport residents and 78% of businesses did not support the proposed road charges.Stockport Council's decision to reject the charge followed a survey which found that 67% of Stockport residents and 78% of businesses did not support the proposed road charges.
'Sad day''Sad day'
The leader of the council, Dave Goddard, said the decision was "a sad day for democracy".The leader of the council, Dave Goddard, said the decision was "a sad day for democracy".
He said: "The decision from Stockport is a resounding rejection of congestion charging.He said: "The decision from Stockport is a resounding rejection of congestion charging.
"AGMA has worked on a consensus and today you've seen evidence of majority voting being allegedly allowed.""AGMA has worked on a consensus and today you've seen evidence of majority voting being allegedly allowed."
John McGoldrick, of Manchester Against Road Tolls, said: "Two of the councils have voted no.John McGoldrick, of Manchester Against Road Tolls, said: "Two of the councils have voted no.
The charges would differ from the London systemThe charges would differ from the London system
"The scheme is now effectively dead as not even the government has the power to force any council to bring in road user charging.""The scheme is now effectively dead as not even the government has the power to force any council to bring in road user charging."
"Though it is dead, it won't lie down, and AGMA, though they have no road charging powers are carrying on."Though it is dead, it won't lie down, and AGMA, though they have no road charging powers are carrying on.
"Our campaign will therefore have to carry on until this road toll threat is well and truly buried.""Our campaign will therefore have to carry on until this road toll threat is well and truly buried."
Councillor Roger Jones, Chairman of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, said: "Our bid makes its clear that any charging scheme would not be introduced on roads until those affected have a reliable, integrated public transport system available to provide people with a real alternative to using their cars.Councillor Roger Jones, Chairman of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, said: "Our bid makes its clear that any charging scheme would not be introduced on roads until those affected have a reliable, integrated public transport system available to provide people with a real alternative to using their cars.
"We have received a large volume of valuable feedback from the local business community and Greater Manchester residents, which we will now use to help shape the detailed nature of our full strategy.""We have received a large volume of valuable feedback from the local business community and Greater Manchester residents, which we will now use to help shape the detailed nature of our full strategy."
Angie Robinson, chief executive of Greater Manchester Chamber, said: "AGMA hasmade its decision and we now wait to see if the bid will be approved.
"We look forward to further consultation and there is still a lot ofexplanation that the business community requires.
The final TIF bid is due to be submitted on 31 July.The final TIF bid is due to be submitted on 31 July.