I don't think congestiion is falling. But it's an interesting thought. Below we have yet another local MP saying they're being blackmailed by Whitehall.
BLACKLEY MP, Graham Stringer, has accused the government of "blackmailing" councils into introducing controversial pay as you drive schemes to ease congestion.
Along with other Labour and Tory MPs, Mr Stringer claims they are being offered more cash for public transport, including Metrolink routes, only if they bring in congestion charging.
"We have got £500M towards a £1.5bn tram scheme and the government have said that if we want the extra £1bn we will in practice have to have a congestion charge.
"I don’t think that’s fair when one looks at the investment that is being made in London," said Mr Stringer.
"The case for investing in the tram and train systems in Greater Manchester stands on its own and a separate case would have to be made for introducing a congestion charge."
I think he's right though. Years of subpar investment and bad management have left the train and tram systems in a dire place. Something drastic needs to happen with or without a congestion charge.
We are being blackmailed to bring in toll tax - M.P.
1 comments:
As much as I think local rags like the Middle Guardian should stay away from political bias, there is a good point here.
We should have public transport improvements without a congestion charge - I just can't see it happening without a radical shift in government priorities.
It's a real shame that the TIF improvements have a good chance of being lost thanks to drivers' lack of trust that the improvements will be good enough for them to be happy leaving their cars at home during peak periods.
That said, it's not drivers' fault if past experience leads them not to trust those in charge of public transport policy at the highest levels.
Post a Comment