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Protest to be held over Manchester road toll

20/06/2007

A protest over plans to introduce a charge to drive on Greater Manchester's busiest roads is to take place this week.

Manchester Against Road Tolls has organised a demonstration and petition that is due to take place on Saturday June 23rd and anti-road tax campaigners are hoping to meet as many Mancunians as possible.

The protest follows an announcement by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (Agma) that congestion charging could be rolled out within five years.

Nigel Humphries, a spokesman for the Association of British Drivers, which is supporting the protest, said the road toll will be "hugely damaging to the interests of the people of Manchester".

"Every penny of the charge will be passed on to local council tax payers in increased prices for goods and services or simply through increased council tax," he stated.

However, Lord Peter Smith, leader of Agma, said that if Manchester wants to narrow the gap with London and stimulate employment growth, then it needs to tackle the problem of congestion now.

According to the proposals, peak-time drivers will pay £2 to enter the outer ring of the city and £1 to enter the city centre. Another £1 would be paid when leaving each of the zones.


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