Poll result due on Greater Manchester congestion charging
- 00:02:23
- ITN
Poll result due on Greater Manchester congestion charging
Britain's biggest congestion charging zone could be given the go-ahead later. A result is expected after people in Greater Manchester voted on whether to back plans for two road pricing areas. It could set the tone for future transport policy across the country. As part of the scheme, there will be a massive investment in public transport. A massive publicity campaign has been waged by both 'Yes' and 'No' groups on both sides of the debate. The Yes campaign say the region has a once and for all chance to get billions invested in local transport - the No campaign say the plans are badly thought through and will cost the region jobs. The result, due out at noon, will be followed closely in Whitehall which will want to know if the voter is willing to back road charging. The scheme, if approved, will charge drivers up to £5 a day to visit Manchester - and win or lose - may signal the future direction of road pricing transport policy for the rest of the UK. The area covered by the proposed charge would cover about 80 square miles, corresponding to the area within the M60 orbital motorway. By contrast the original zone covered by the London Congestion Charge was about eight square miles.
ITN | December 12, 2008
