Sweeteners to sway toll vote

CAMPAIGNERS making a stand were, from left, Fiona McEvoy from the Taxpayers’ Alliance, Sean Corker from Manchester Against Road Tolls, Savvas Eleftheriou from Levers Fish and Chip Shop, Drivers’ Alliance chief executive Peter Roberts and George Gabrilatsou from Levers.

A HOST of concessions have been confirmed to save Oldhamers paying the congestion charge — and woo voters into backing a public transport revolution.

The outer M60 payment boundary has been altered so that parents won’t pay as they drop off and collect their children at Kaskenmoor and New Bridge schools.

And commercial vehicles from Greengate industrial estate, which head for the M60 but don’t go further towards Manchester, won’t be charged even though they cross the boundary.

The amendments to the £3billion Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) and its referendum details were agreed by the leaders of Greater Manchester’s 10 councils on Friday.

Oldham Council sent a delegation to the meeting and hailed the changes as a successful outcome to its campaign to get the best deal for Oldhamers.

Other changes also confirmed that will ease the burden on Oldham’s motorists include:

::A daily congestion charge cap of £5.

::A 20 per cent discount on rush-hour bus, train and tram fares, and the congestion charge, for low-paid workers.

::Lorries will be charged nothing for the first year while the effects of the scheme are studied.

::People going to medical appointments, blue badge holders, motorcycles, taxis and private hire cars, emergency vehicles, registered recovery vehicles, scheduled coaches and community transport services won’t pay.

::An extra 60 yellow school buses across Greater Manchester were also agreed to take the total investment to 180.

Oldham Council deputy leader Councillor Jackie Stanton said: “After a lot of talking common sense has finally prevailed.

“This decision is good news for many families in Hollinwood and Chadderton who can continue going about their daily lives in the usual way if the congestion charge is introduced.”

Council chief executive Charlie Parker said the road layout at Greengate meant commercial vehicles wanting to reach the M60 would drive through a charging point.

He added: “Until the concession, it would have meant those vehicles being charged even though their intention is to travel away from Manchester.”

Semple Way and the proposed Hollinwood park and ride will also be outside the charging line.

And Oldham’s Labour Group won a concession that a stretch of houses off Broadway, accessed via a charging point, will join with Ryecroft Close and Teasdale Close in being outside the zone.

But they were disappointed their proposal of motorists only being charged if both charging rings are crossed was rejected.


‘No’ campaigners hit the road

AS council leaders confirmed the referendum on TIF and the congestion charge, campaigners urged Oldhamers to reject road taxes.

Representatives from the Taxpayers’ Alliance, Drivers’ Alliance and Manchester Against Road Tolls toured Oldham town centre talking to businesses and individuals to argue against the scheme.