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Defeat for Bolton councillors opposed to congestion charge

25/04/2008

An attempt undermine the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities' (Agma) plans to introduce a congestion charge scheme has been thwarted.

Conservative councillors in Bolton wanted to withdraw the borough from the road toll scheme but were prevented by Liberal Democrat and Labour councillors at a meeting earlier this week.

However, it was agreed there should be a public referendum on the issue of road pricing in Bolton.

Councillor John Walsh, leader of the Conservatives at Bolton council, told the BBC that he is disappointed that Labour and the Liberal Democrat councillors "are prepared to run the risk of others determining congestion charging within Bolton".

"It's a real threat, it's one that we recognise but one that we oppose," he added.

Agma's hopes of creating a two-tier congestion charge zone in Greater Manchester have been rocked in recent months. So far, three boroughs, Stockport, Trafford and Bury, have withdrawn their support for the scheme.

The congestion charge is also dependant on the government agreeing to help pay for major improvements to public transport.