Manchester Congestion charging: voters reject proposals

Manchester voters have rejected the proposals to bid for part of the Transport Innovation Fund to improve congestion in Greater Manchester.

The bid would have included significant investment in local transport provision, but also a congestion charge. It is likely that it is the congestion charge element that the electorate has denounced in its referendum. The swing was significant, with all 10 wards of Greater Manchester voting decisively against the scheme.

FTA has expressed its disappointment at the decision. Following detailed discussions with the scheme's sponsors, Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, FTA had secured a series of concessions which would have delayed the introduction of charging for commercial vehicles until the congestion benefits of the scheme were apparent.

It is unclear what happens to the £1.5 billion earmarked for the Manchester scheme and what the future holds for road user charging in any form. All along, Manchester PTA has claimed that there is no 'Plan B', although several Manchester councils have already said following the vote that the money should be invested in transport in Manchester without the introduction of charging. Prior to the Manchester vote Cambridgeshire, Greater Bristol, Leeds and Reading were each investigating how they could use the Transport Innovation Fund with a congestion charging element. The decision in Manchester will undoubtedly affect political appetites for local congestion in these areas.