Manchester congestion charges - voting soon

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

I see from the BBC that Manchester Congestion Charge is up for a public vote in the next few weeks.

Of course as I understand it whichever way the vote goes the politicians can choose to ignore it Shocked

Motorcycles were once set to be charged a reduced rate set for cars. However, the goalposts have moved so many times on this I think bikes, along with black cabs, etc. have been exempt from charges.

For cars it's set to be £5 a day. The BBC report states for one commuter is charges will work out to be about an extra £700 a year.

Keeping an eye on this as charging is sure to be tried in other places if this one does go ahead.

So, how would you vote?
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Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

If I was in an area where there was a vote on it I would vote against any form of additional road taxation.

I would also be inclined on a national scale to vote that any local road charging scheme only applies to those who live in an area that could vote for / against the scheme. So in Londons case anyone who doesn't live within the voting area for the mayor would be exempt from the charge. After all, no taxation without representation.

All the best

Keith
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NSR Mick · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Karma :

The trouble is that the majority of people eligible to vote on it wont be affected by it. Unlike me who will be affected but have no say on the matter. Twisted Evil

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Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

I'm not sure I should vote, in that such charges may not affect me , as said on principle I won't vote on things that will not have a direct impact on me,,

Al la the Froggy debate where he intended to vote labour even though none of the labour policies affect him living in Sweden..

2009 is probably going to be an election year.....

What will happen is this....

It will be voted and the people will say NO,

Labour will win in 2009/10 (look at some of the polls with labour gaining 6-7 points over brown's fake leader ship and BBC propaganda) , much like Tories won in 1992 in the depths of a recession and 1970 again in the depths of a recession.

And will promise to stand by this vote...

Once they get into power they will use the exclusion clause

"pledges and promises in maniefestos are not subject to legitimate expectation"

Which is what Brown used in court to defend not having a vote on the EU treaty.
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owdamer · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2004 Karma :

I'll be voting No. I live outside the charging zones, but my place of employment is just inside the outer zone. Looking at the map i'll be driving about 100 yards into the zone so i'll be paying to get to work, then paying again to leave. If I am to use public transport then i'll be faced with a weekly cost of £14 at todays price. Thats £56 a month. Now I dont have that much left at the end of the month as it is so i dont know where that money will come from. I guess i'll have to cut back so that means local stores will no doubt take less from me. That sort of goes agains the myth that local businesses will benefit from the scheme.
They say how good things will be because we'll get the metrolink, but they're taking the train away so we're not really gaining a thing. The park and ride schemes are in area's away from where i work so by using those i would end up covering more miles than i do now, plus a bus ride as well.....its a complete joke and only an idiot would vote yes.
Vote NO!

ms51ves3 · Super Spammer Joined: 08 Jun 2007 Karma :

Skudd · Super Spammer Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Karma :

I don't often go into Manchester, when I do the traffic is just horrendous, but I would put up with it knowing I'm in a city. I wouldn't dream of using public transport as i wouldn't know where to start in organising a simple shopping trip to and from Manchester from my home. also the time spent on and cost of public transport would put me off.
So if the charge came in then I wouldn't be going to Manchester at all.
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djr · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Nov 2003 Karma :

As long as it's charging to stop people EXITING Manchester and not entering it it's fine... wack the charges nice and high and stop them northern cunts leaving Razz

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owdamer · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2004 Karma :

djr · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Nov 2003 Karma :

owdamer · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2004 Karma :

djr · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Nov 2003 Karma :

I dunno, how dumb are you? Very Happy

VERY... That's why i'm replying to you Wink

...
I was born up here so I didn't actually choose to be here.
You could move ya know... although you might struggle to find a chip shop that'll put gravy all over it Sick

I'd be watching what happens carefully if I were you though. If the charge gets introduced it's only a matter of time before the rest of the country starts looking at it and before you know it we're all stuck where we live.
I'm happy where i live thanks