Lib Dems say Labour must come clean on Congestion Charges

Greater Manchester's four Liberal Democrat MPs have condemned secrecy surrounding plans for congestion charging across the ten districts.  After a briefing from Lib Dem council leaders last week, they issued a call for the outline plans to be published immediately, and accused top Labour politicians of "trying everything they can to block discussion".

Paul Rowen MP, Lib Dem Transport Spokesperson and Rochdale MP, said: "First Labour tried to hijack the whole process, with a so-called press launch before members of either the Transport Authority or the other council leaders in Greater Manchester had been shown initial ideas on the charging scheme.  They didn't even tip off their own MPs! Now they are refusing to publish the plans that show the all-important detail of what routes are to be targeted, and what transport improvements are to be put in first.  This is a multi-million pound bid vital to Rochdale but the Labour Party is putting the campaign to deliver the Metrolink to our Town Centre and the much needed improvements to bus and train services under threat.  We will not support congestion charging any further until transport bosses reveal where they plan to introduce congestion charging!"

The Lib Dem MPs are backing calls by Lib Dem Council Leaders, including Rochdale’s Alan Taylor, for sight of the scheme, which they say must be discussed properly and put out for full consultation with the public and business community across Greater Manchester well before any bid to the Government goes ahead.

Leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Alan Taylor said: "Any proposal must be judged by four key tests:

1. Transport improvements have to be in place including all the new Metrolink routes, extra train carriages to ease overcrowding. More buses and better bus services before any charging scheme comes into force. 
2. It must be acceptable to the public and business.
3. It must avoid risk of damage to jobs and the economy.
4. It should focus on areas where there really is severe traffic congestion. 

"Labour must stop playing games, and set out their plans so everyone can judge for themselves if such a scheme will really stand up or not."

Councillor Peter Davidson, Rochdale’s Lib Dem Spokesman on the GMPA said: "At the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities' meeting, representatives of Conservative, Labour, and Liberal Democrat councils all gave the go-ahead for work on matching up any congestion charging scheme against the four tests, but Labour refused to allow details of the work done so far to be released. Their arrogance on this is stunning. They won't get support from anybody by hiding the information.  There is a long list of questions that must be answered.  For instance, what transport improvement schemes will come first?  And if it is all based on transport corridors, it will be crucial to know how they plan to avoid rat-running by motorists through residential areas."

Date article online: 09/02/2007