Congestion charging: Resounding rejection by public

The result is a landslide NO in Greater Manchester’s historic congestion charge referendum.

All ten districts in the region voted overwhelmingly against the Transport Innovation Fund scheme to improve public transport - including bringing trams into Oldham town centre.

In Oldham, the poll was 17,571 in favour and 68,884 against with a turnout of 54.4 per cent.

The referendum was the largest of its kind and the TIF scheme would have brought up to £3 billion for public transport improvements, including continuing the already-secured Metrolink extension to Mumps into the town centre. But £1.2 billion was to be borrowed and paid back through a peak-time, weekday congestion charge covering 80 square miles around the city — 10 times bigger than London original charging zone.

Disappointed Oldham Council leader Howard Sykes said: “ I am disappointed but not surprised. The people have spoken and we have to respect that, this isn’t Mugabe’s Zimbabwe where we can change things to suit.

“We can’t hide the fact that the no vote is a major blow for our regeneration and renewal plans. But it’s not the end of the world. In Oldham we now have to reflect on today’s vote, to see where we go from here.

“There’s still a big job for us to do to improve public transport in Oldham and Greater Manchester. How we now do that remains the big question.

“Metrolink is still coming to Oldham and will be an integral part of our renewal and regeneration plans and future competitiveness.”

Returning officer Neil McIntosh announced the results at 12.20pm at the Manchester Central convention complex.

Oldham’s cabinet will meet on Monday to decide how to respond. Leaders of the 10 Greater Manchester district councils are due to ratify the TIF votes next Friday.

Oldham Tory group leader Jack Hulme welcomed the result.

He said: “It’s another stealth tax. We do not think many of the people who work in Manchester but live in Oldham should have to pay an additional tax.

“We have never been against improvements to the Transport infrastructure and we will continue to campaign for £1.7 billion from the Exchequer to fund the improvements.

Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher said: “I have always thought the congestion charge system was too complex.

“I do not believe that much-needed transport infrastructure should depend on people paying up front for congestion charging.

“What we have to do now is to ensure that transport improvements that are required still go ahead and we have to push hard for this in Parliament. This includes further stages of the Oldham metro link.”