Manchester backs congestion charging

Manchester looks set to follow London by applying congestion charges to drivers entering or leaving the city.

However, the scheme, which is expected to be in place by 2013, is to take a more sophisticated approach to tackling congestion by only operating during peak traffic hours.

The scheme is likely to be based on two zones. Crossing the outer one at the M60 would incur a charge of £2, and crossing the inner zone would cost £1 between 07.30 and 09.30 in the morning and 16.00 and 18.30 in the afternoon. Drivers leaving the zones during peak hours would be charged £1.

Drivers would buy an electronic tag for their vehicles which would register the charges.

As with London, the money raised from the charges would be ploughed into public transport.

The Government has committed £1.2bn to set up the scheme and improve Manchester’s public transport infrastructure prior to the scheme beginning. Eventually, Manchester City Council wants to invest £3bn in public transport improvements.

The proposals have drawn fire from road transport lobbyists who view the scheme as another tax on motorists.

But Manchester City Council claims 30 per cent of households in Greater Manchester don't have access to a car and the improvements in public transport far outweigh the costs to drivers.