C-charge: your last chance to vote

ALMOST half of Oldhamers on the electoral register have had their say on the future of transport in Greater Manchester — and the rest have until 10pm tonight to vote.

Arrangements have been made for a ballot box to be available at the One Stop Shop, next to Oldham bus station, for those who haven’t posted back their ballot papers on the Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) referendum.

The TIF package will see £3billion of public transport improvements, including trams in Oldham town centre and more frequent buses, but will be partly paid for by a peak-time congestion charge in and out of Manchester.

People have been urged to use their vote and have their say on such an important issue — and the box will be their last chance before the 10pm deadline passes.

Almost two million ballot packs have been sent to households across the region, with the result to be announced tomorrow.

The latest turnout figures, released by the returning officer, show that 77,993 people out of the 159,328 eligible to vote in Oldham have returned their voting forms — 49 per cent.
The highest is Trafford with 55.6 per cent, followed by Tameside with 54.4 per cent. Lagging behind is Manchester with 39 per cent.

Oldham Council staff will be on duty at the One Stop Shop to ensure things run smoothly and borough solicitor Aileen Johnson will be keeping a watchful eye.