C-charge vote will go down to wire

Reporter: by Richard Hooton
Date online: 25 November 2008

A REFERENDUM on public transport improvements and the congestion charge is on a knife edge according to the latest survey.

Figures released by the Yes Campaign show that 51.4 per cent of voters expressed a clear view in supporting the package with 48.6 per cent opposed.

But more than a quarter of the electorate — 26.8 per cent — remains undecided.

In Oldham, the margin was even tighter with 50.1 per cent preparing to say yes and 49.9 per cent saying no.

The £3billion Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) package will bring trams through the centre of Oldham and more frequent buses, but will be partly paid for by a controversial peak-time congestion charge in and out of Manchester.

For the TIF bid to succeed, at least seven out of 10 districts in Greater Manchester need to back it, but four areas in the survey — Rochdale, Salford, Tameside and Trafford — are currently against. Wigan showed the most in favour with 55.8 per cent and Trafford the most against with 53.8 per cent. The survey indicates that the turnout is likely to exceed 63 per cent.

The canvass of 5,003 residents was conducted face to face and on the telephone between October 27 and November 20.

The results come as ballot papers are sent out this week, which need to be returned by December 11.

Yes Campaign director Dan Hodges said: “This referendum is on a knife edge. It’s clear that in every district every single vote is going to count, and every single voter has the potential to make the vital difference.”

More than 225 firms have now pledged their support for the scheme with NHS chiefs also saying it could improve health and save lives.

But the No Campaign, spearheaded by The Tax Payers’ Alliance, Drivers Against Road Tolls and Drivers’ Alliance, say many local businesses are against the congestion charge as it will increase costs, while struggling families will have to fork out up to £1,200 a year to pay the charge.