Centre for Cities comments on referendum result for Manchester Congestion Charge

Date: 12/12/2008

Commenting on Manchester's referendum result against a Manchester Congestion Charge, Dermot Finch, Director of the Centre for Cities said,

"Today's result is a blow to Greater Manchester's economy. Given the downturn, it's understandable that voters were worried about paying more to get around.  But Manchester has now lost a £3bn, once-in-a-generation chance to update its public transport system. And there are no consolation prizes or plan Bs, meaning that congestion in the city-region is likely to worsen.

"Today's vote is also a blow to the Government's efforts on road pricing. With no other city currently ready to accept its 'cash-for-congestion charging' offer, there's a risk that this transport funding will be spread too thinly, or taken off the table."

Notes to Editors

A Centre for Cities spokesperson will be available for further comment on the result of the Manchester Congestion Charge referendum on the implications of the result upon Manchester's transport network, its wider economy and the future for congestion charging and the transport innovation fund across Britain's cities.

Please contact:

Rosamund Taylor, Acting External Affairs Manager
020 7803 4316 / 07876 175 426

The Centre for Cities has recently published a paper on the economic benefits of congestion charging.  This is available for download.

The Centre for Cities has also recently joint authored a paper on the economic and social benefits of integrated transport On the Move: delivering integrated transport in UK cities