Manchester urges firms to prepare for congestion charge

BusinessGreen: How big a problem is traffic congestion in Manchester?
Roger Jones: Congestion is currently a major problem in and around Greater Manchester and will become even more so in the future. It is estimated that 210,000 new jobs will be created in Greater Manchester by 2021, based on the region's current growth. This growth will add new demands on travel, especially at peak times relevant to both business and the general public. Doing nothing would jeopardise 30,000 of these new jobs, which would harm the city's economic growth. In short, if we do nothing, businesses will avoid Greater Manchester because goods, services and employees will not be able to move efficiently around the 10 districts.

Could you summarise how the Manchester congestion charge will work and why you have gone for this approach for tackling congestion?
Only motorists crossing one of the two charging rings in the morning peak towards Manchester’s city centre (7-9.30am) or in evening away from the city centre (4-6.30pm) would be charged. All other journeys during the day, in the evening or at the weekend are free. And although the maximum daily charge for travelling to Manchester's city centre is £5 at the peak times, many journeys would not incur a charge. Manchester has chosen this model because it wants to tackle the busiest routes at the busiest times rather than adopt a blunt charging scheme like London.

What impact do you calculate the scheme will have in terms of congestion and carbon emissions?
We are hoping that the scheme, which aims to get the people of Manchester out of their cars and onto public transport, will free up the peak-time roads of Manchester to allow quicker passage for business. It is estimated that a 10 per cent drop in congestion will make enough difference to ease the city’s congestion. In terms of carbon emissions, modelling suggests that by 2016 the emissions of carbon dioxide at peak times would increase by two percent less thanks to the implementation of the congestion charge than would have otherwise been the case. Similarly, by the same date, peak period emissions of black smoke and nitrogen dioxide local air pollutants that affect health would be five per cent lower.

How will it differ from the London scheme and what advantages will these differences give you?
Unlike London's blanket charge, our proposed scheme will only target congestion when it happens – in the weekday rush hours. The advantage for those who do not create congestion is that they won't be charged for congestion. The advantage for those that pay is that they will have freer access around the city at peak times.

What is the likely impact of the scheme on the business community?
We are hoping that this charge will leave roads free of congestion allowing the faster and more efficient transfer of goods as well as staff and tradesmen around the city doing their job.

How would you summarise the business community's reaction to the scheme? Have they been supportive or do they oppose the scheme?
In January, Manchester's Chamber of Commerce commissioned a survey that found that 90 per cent of businesses were concerned by rising levels of congestion in and around the city. Among businesses, 47 per cent agree with the principle of the package and 38 per cent disagree. When given details of the congestion charge, 41 per cent agree and 50 per cent disagree. When asked about the principle of submitting a bid, 60 per cent agree and 31 per cent disagree.

How would you advise firms to prepare for the introduction of congestion charging?
I would ask firms to look at their business schedules and consider seriously when and where they travel. I would also ask business to consider quite how much time – and in the end money – is wasted by being stuck in stationary queues over the course of a year. By making certain journeys where possible at non-peak times or making journeys at peak times and paying the charge they will find they can conduct their business dealings far more financially efficiently around the city.

What measures would businesses be taking to ensure congestion charging has the desired result of reducing emissions and congestion and does not simply become an extra cost for businesses?
Delivery schedules are an important part of any business and many businesses already choose to move goods around the city at a more suitable time than the rush hour. Likewise, if people do need to drive to work, for example, we would hope that they would consider car sharing, which will of course ease congestion and save the individuals money on their congestion charge. But we must not forget that we are proposing not just a congestion charge but also a £3m public transport revolution that aims to take people cheaply, greenly and quickly out of their cars and onto buses, trams and trains.

How do you propose to improve public transport to support the congestion charging scheme?
Any charging scheme should not be introduced on roads until those affected have a reliable, integrated public transport system available to provide people with a real alternative to using their cars. In Manchester this would mean 30km of new Metrolink track; new, faster bus routes using hundreds of new, better buses, including yellow school buses; new trains; and faster, easier travel with new transport interchanges, Park and Ride facilities and better travel information and ticketing. All of these, coupled with institutional reform and greater influence of the bus network, will herald a public transport revolution in Greater Manchester.

Do you foresee pay as you drive and congestion charge schemes being more widely adopted?
I think there is an inevitability that congestion charging will be a positive force in changing the way people think about the journeys they make on a daily basis around the major cities of the UK. In Manchester those that do not want to drive will see a public transport revolution that will be able to bring them to and from the city. For those wanting to make journeys at the fee-charging times, the roads will be altogether clearer allowing faster and more economical movement around Greater Manchester.