Manchester Against Road Tolls

30th July 2008 - New MART website and forum launched

MART's main website has been given a makeover and a new forum has been launched. Check it out and have your say at www.manchestertolltax.com.

25th July 2008 - AGMA give go ahead for referendum

Tamesiders will get to vote on the toll tax in a referendum, probably in December (Tameside Advertiser). Denton MP Andrew Gwynne is convinced the vote will defeat the toll tax (Stockport Express).

7th July 2008 - Con-charge to cost £300m / Let the consultation...begin

Actually, it's £318m(M.E.N.) - but how will they guarantee that figure will not rise? Large projects in any business historically go over budget (see 1995 CHAOS report).

The consultation begins today, and it seems to be heavily biased already. See BBC news and M.E.N.blog. Also see the Oxford Engish Dictionary definition of propaganda!

5th July 2008 - MART press release

The following press release was issued by MART co-ordinator Sean Corker:

Mayoral referendum Campaigner Leaves MART 

Mayoral Election campaigner Geoffrey Berg has left the anti congestion charge campaign group MART. At a meeting held on Saturday 5th July it was agreed that Mr. Burg is no longer a representative of MART, and MART as an organisation will no longer be campaigning for elected mayors in boroughs in Greater Manchester.  

The announcement reflects Mr. Berg’s decision in January as holder of the signatures to submit the petition in Bury against the wishes of the majority of MART’s members. It was felt by the majority at the time that submitting the petition was unnecessary, as Bury Council had committed to opposing the congestion charge.  

In future MART will be concentrating on representing the voice of the ordinary working family in this unjust, economically damaging Congestion Tax campaign. 

MART would like to thank Mr. Berg for his efforts but all future inquiries about mayoral petitions in other boroughs should be addressed to Mr. Burg.

4th July 2008 - Denton MP voices concerns on con-charge

Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, has raised concerns in a house of commons debate relating to the con-charge. Ashton MP David Heyes also raised concers, despite "calming fears" two weeks ago! See the Advertiser article.

2nd July 2008 - Tameside Council leader backs con-charge referendum

Tameside Council leader Roy Oldham has cautiously welcomed a Greater Manchester wide referendum on the c-charge, but seems to agree ti the TIF bid in its current form. The Tameside Advertiser article includes a quote from MARTs Rob Hardman.

25th June 2008 - Sir Richard changes his mind...again!

In 2005 Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council and supporter of the con-charge said there would never be a congestion charge in Manchester as it would damage the economy. After changing his mind on this he said there would be no referendum as we would not understand the question. In another flip-flop he is now saying there may be a referendum after all (Manchester Evening News). Let's hope it is a fair one!

23rd June 2008 - Toll supremo admits figures do not add up

Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester City Council and supporter of the c-charge, admits to Crains Manchester Business that revenue from the tolls will only repay a third of the TIF loan, with the rest coming from increased public transport fares. Looks like even those who choose to ditch the car will lose out.

11th June 2008 - Tameside press articles on TIF bid approval

Ashton MP Davis Heyes claims to "Calm fears over c-charge" in the Advertiser. The only way he can calm fears is by ensuring we get to see all the details of the proposals and vote on them in a referendum.

"Mixed Reaction" in the Reporter, with comments from Councillor John Bell and MART.

10th June 2008 - TIF bid conditionally approved

On Monday 9th June 2008 Ruth Kelly announced Greater Manchester was given conditional approval for the TIF bid, but that it must include a congestion charge. MART members attempted to attend the press conference held at Rochdale town hall, but were refused entry along with representatives from GMMG and even a local councillor (Talk about open and transparent government!). Tameside MART issued the following press release:

Tameside MART press release:

The announcement that Greater Manchester has been entered into the next stage of the TIF bid should have Tamesiders asking how they will be affected by the proposals and how will they be consulted.

Rob Hardman, co-ordinator of the Tameside branch of MART said:

"It is essential that the full details of the scheme are revealed to the people of Tameside so they can make a real decision on the bid. MART believes that the only fair way of perfoming a public consultaion is to let the people evaluate the bid and vote on it in a full referendum.

Those trying to promote the scheme are creating a tripple whammy of increases for the motorist; higher fuel prices, increased vehicle excise duty and now the possibility of a congestion charge. These will increase the cost of living for all in Tameside, regardless of wether they drive or not."

Sean Corker, ABD Local Co-ordinator for Manchester, and MART spokesman, said:

"The government deliberately cancelled funding for the Metrolink extension, so that they could use the need for this as an excuse for imposing congestion charging upon the city. It is an absurdity that the cost of setting up the congestion charge would pay for the final stages of the Metrolink.

It is well known that the government has gained a massive windfall tax from higher oil prices. This money could pay for the Metrolink expansion several times over. To continue with the congestion charge plans at this time is nothing but greed."

For links to related news stories go to the NAAT manchester page. Also take a look at the new GMMG website, Stop the Charge, which includes a petition for a Greater Manchester wide referendum.

28th April 2008 - Congestion charge becomes election issue

The MEN has got it correct for once. The only problem being that most people are still in the dark about the road tolls scheme. In Edinburgh in the first election after the abortive attempt to bring in road tolls, the electors showed Labour the exit door. If the pro tollers win in Manchester, then they should thank the MEN! Radio 1 Newsbeat reports on the issue in Bury as well.