C-charge ballot packs posted

Oldhamers will this week get ballot papers which will decide whether trams will run through the town centre.

Around 1.9 million packs are being posted out in Greater Manchester’s Transport Innovation Fund referendum to decide whether to accept congestion charging in return for £3bn of public transport improvements.

Everyone who is on the electoral register in each of the 10 Greater Manchester council areas will be eligible to vote. Pilgrims to Mecca and members of the armed forces have been offered proxy votes.

Every ballot pack should have been delivered by November 28 at the latest. Anyone who has not received one by then should call the Returning Officer’s free helpline on 0800 7839828.

Each pack contains a ballot paper, a declaration which must be signed by the voter, and a leaflet giving information about the Transport Innovation Fund proposals.

Completed ballot papers, and declarations, must be received by the Returning Officer by 10pm on Thursday, December 11 for votes to count.

Final results will be announced by the returning officer, Sir Neil McIntosh, at Manchester Central on Friday, December 12.

Sir Neil said: “I urge everyone to have their say on this important issue. Anyone who needs help to vote should contact my helpline.”