Ballot paper gets the green light

PLANS to hold a referendum on the congestion charge scraped through by one vote after Trafford, Bury and Stockport councils refused to back the question at Friday’s meeting of the 10 Greater Manchester councils.

They argue the ballot paper should have mentioned congestion charging — resulting in a 7-3 vote in favour of the ballot.

Returning officer Sir Richard McIntosh stressed the preamble above the question “Do you agree with the TIF proposals?” on the form mentions both the charge and improvements.

He said it was a simple question for a complicated issue.

He added: “I am mindful that there are strong feelings on either side of this debate and satisfied that both the ballot paper and the accompanying leaflet are clear, factual and do not lead voters one way or another.”

Concerns were raised that allowing a proxy vote will lead to fraud. But Sir Neil said it was important that people serving in the Armed Forces have the chance to vote.

He said it was a balance of risk but a proxy can only deal with two votes and must be on the electoral register.

“There are measures in place to make sure people are not voting for others,” he added.

Councillor Jackie Stanton said: “Oldham Council pledged to do everything in its power to minimise the impact of the congestion charge boundary and I am pleased we have finally won these concessions. It was clear the draft proposals to place the congestion charge boundary on the line of the M60 in Oldham would cut a number of communities in two to the unjustified detriment of residents and businesses in those areas. ”

The package means £300million of the £3billion investment being spent in Oldham.

Oldham’s Labour Group was disappointed its plan of only charging motorists who cross both charging rings was rejected — but backed the scheme.

Councillor Dave Hibbert said: “We thought it would make it more preferable to a significant amount of people but it did not succeed at Oldham Council or AGMA. We still feel it could have been done.

“But I want the bid to go through and I will be voting for it.

“The majority of people won’t be paying for it. It only applies to people going in and out the city centre at peak hours.”

Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese said: “The opportunity for investment of up to £3billion in public transport and congestion charging solutions will be a considerable boost to our region’s economy.”

AGMA Leader Lord Peter Smith stressed the congestion charge won’t be introduced until 80 per cent of the public transport improvements are in place.

He added: “The big change is the transformation there will be in bus networks with 90 per cent of the population living just a five minute walk from a service operating every 20 minutes.

He stressed the Government had made it clear if residents rejected the congestion charge, Greater Manchester would not get a penny extra for transport improvements —and the TIF (Transport Innovation Fund) cash will go to another area.

Council leaders would have to fall back on local transport plans to slowly improve things but complaints of shoddy public transport would be likely to grow.

The ‘Yes’ campaign insisted it was time to debate the real choices.

Chairman Lis Phelan said: “There will obviously be those who will continue to obsess about every comma and full stop on the ballot, but at last we can get down to debating the real choice facing people in this referendum: lower bus fares, extra seats on trains and a tram system three times the size of the current network — or higher fares, more pollution and more delays.

The congestion charge affects vehicles travelling towards Manchester city centre between 7am and 9.30pm and away from 4 to 6.30pm.

On weekday mornings crossing the outer ring will cost £2 and inner ring £1. On weekday evenings the cost for either ring is £1.

Vehicles just travelling on the M60 aren’t charged and the maximum payable in one day is £5.

::A call centre to answer queries about the referendum has been set up on 0800 7839828.