Meeting will give C-charge facts

SADDLEWORTH Parish Council is urging people to attend a meeting about the congestion charge to be held at the civic hall, Uppermill, on Monday.

Keith Howcroft, a representative from Greater Manchester Future Transport will present the Transport Innovation Fund package without any preconceived ideas about its merits or disadvantages.

The intention is to give residents the opportunity to be fully-informed before they vote in the referendum in December.

There will be questions after the presentation which starts at 7.30pm.

Royce Franklin, chairman of the parish council’s transport-traffic sub-committee, said: “It is hoped many people from Saddleworth will attend and judge for the package for themselves.

“The future of transport across the whole of Greater Manchester rests on the referendum decision. If seven of the local authorities give a positive vote, the package will get the green light and £3 billion will be pumped into the area.”

Councillor Brian Lord, leader of the parish council, said: “Some Saddleworth people think that this matter will not affect them, but that is not the case.

“If Oldham does not receive any money from the TIF bid then it will have to find any future development money from its own sources at huge cost to ratepayers.

“Clearly there will be winners and losers, but most people are unaware of what the vote will mean to them so it is vital that they find out the real story and not to rely on hearsay and rumour.

“I hope lots of people will avail themselves of this opportunity to listen and debate the matter.”

Opponents of the congestion charge point out that traffic levels have already dropped because of the high cost of fuel and question what trams will provide that buses and trains do not.