You are in > manchester.com  > News > Labour councillors question congestion charge bid

General Manchester news

Labour councillors question congestion charge bid

13/09/2007

The Labour Party in Bury has said that voters should be given a say on plans to introduce congestion charging in Greater Manchester.

Despite the fact that the congestion charge bid has now been submitted to the government, some Bury councillors have aired concerns about the initiative.

They believe that a recent consultation of 5,000 residents did not adequately express the views of the 2.5 million people that live in the city-region, reports the Bury Times.

Councillor Wayne Campbell told the paper: "With something as big as this, the public should be given their say and they are not getting that through their elected members at the moment."

"We're not being given the chance to have a proper debate about it."

But Liberal Democrat councillor Andrew Garner, who sits on the passenger transport authority, dismissed said Labour's disaffection is "too little, too late".

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said the region needs to take step to reduce congestion, which not only causes delays and damages air quality, but makes the economy less competitive.