Congestion debate pantomime

ATTENDING the congestion charge debate at the Honeywell Centre on Friday last, I was taken aback when local Chamber president Paul Roberts, a man I have known and admired for many years, announced to the assembled masses fired up by this hugely important issue (I counted around 30 people actually) that the Press was ‘in attendance’.

That would be me then . . . and the redoubtable Mr Roberts, a former trade union man so he really ought to understand the principles of free speech, went on to say that “no-one in the room would be quoted unless they gave their specific permission.”

He also said the Press (me again, I suppose as my so-called rival from the freesheet arrived much later) wouldn’t be allowed to ask questions.

Compelled to deal with the blow to the democratic process, I offered a witty, cutting riposte which was singularly batted away by said former defender of human rights.

In the event, nothing worth reporting was said anyway so it was all a bit humdrum.

I sat there for two hours, taking copious notes, and heard a rehash of a whole raft of arguments that I have either heard elsewhere or read before.

The man from Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, cast as the villain in the particular pantomime, tried in vain to look at the “whole picture” a superbly integrated public transport system.

This vision links the current Metrolink line between Bury and Altrincham through Manchester city centre to the proposed new Metrolink tracks into Oldham and Rochdale, Ashton, Manchester Airport and, around 2016, The Trafford Centre to new bus stations, new buses, new school buses and new stations, with expended platforms to accommodate new longer rolling stock. I knew you’d understand . . .

David Newton offered a vision of an integrated map to rival the iconic image of the London Underground.

“And we won’t get any of this unless we come up with a costed, effective method of making a real, meaningful contribution so we can access the Government’s Transport Innovation Fund,” he declared.

Hence the Congestion Charge, with its inner and outer rings and charges of £2 and £1 for inward and outward journeys.

And there’s the rub . . . the money. Every speaker — I counted four who asked serious questions and a fourth who made a rambling statement — concentrated solely on the cash.

It was ever thus, and rightly so with industry currently reeling under a series of savage blows in terms of escalating fuel costs and impending rises to the Road Fund Licence (that tax discs to you and me).

However you try to package this deal, however you try to spin it, this was always come back to the Congestion Charge.

Oldham didn’t really come to a view on Friday last, well not one that I could discern, except that they don’t want to pay out any more hard-earned dosh.

Did I say this was a pantomime? Well, whatever anyone thinks, the Congestion Charge is certainly one issues that isn’t behind you!