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'Green cars' to get cash back on congestion charge
DRIVERS of "green cars" from Bolton could get money off any congestion charge levied on roads into Manchester.
An emissions-based charging scheme has been suggested by Manchester City Council as part of a plan to tackle climate change.
If congestion charging is given the go-ahead the idea could benefit some of the estimated 12,000 Bolton drivers who would pass through at least one of the two proposed charging rings each day.
Under the current proposals cars passing through both rings would pay £5 a day.
But those with the lowest emissions, including bio-diesel and hybrid fuels, could get a discount if Manchester's idea is backed.
A bid to the Government by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) would see congestion charging introduced in return for £3 billion towards public transport improvement.
Of that, around £2 billion would be borrowed against future congestion charge income.
Improvements planned for Bolton include a £23 million transport interchange near the Trinity Street train station, an 11-mile bus lane to Manchester and more carriages on trains.
A Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) bid spokeswoman confirmed that anyone paying the congestion charge, and not just Manchester residents, would benefit from any green discount.
"It's something we would look at in greater detail if the funding becomes available," she said.
She added that discounts for pensioners and the disabled had already been suggested as part of the bid.
Bolton Council leader, Cllr Cliff Morris, who voted in favour of the bid, said: "I think we should be looking at ways of encouraging people to go green.
"But I've yet to be convinced about congestion charging and until I see what comes back from the Government I am not going to commit myself."
6:28pm Wednesday 30th January 2008
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CommentPosted by: Rocky, Bowton on 6:32pm Wed 30 Jan 08
AGMA are an unelected body which do no represent my views.
They may as well have mugabe at the helm.
AGMA are an unelected body which do no represent my views.
They may as well have mugabe at the helm.
Posted by: John Byrom, Bolton on 6:49pm Wed 30 Jan 08
I would agree with the above. When the survey was put to people on line the first question asked was do you agree that something must be done about road congestion? A yes answer was deemed a vote in favour of congestion charging!
I would agree with the above. When the survey was put to people on line the first question asked was do you agree that something must be done about road congestion? A yes answer was deemed a vote in favour of congestion charging!
Posted by: John Byrom, Bolton on 6:52pm Wed 30 Jan 08
As for Mr Morris, he'll do what he's told by his bosses above, not by the people that voted him in!
Mind you, name me a councillor that gives a Jacks**t about anyone who votes for them 364 days a year!!
As for Mr Morris, he'll do what he's told by his bosses above, not by the people that voted him in!
Mind you, name me a councillor that gives a Jacks**t about anyone who votes for them 364 days a year!!
Posted by: Bolton Reader, Bolton on 7:53pm Wed 30 Jan 08
Yet again Manchester is dominating the other 6 districts still in bed with them over congestion charging.
Bolton Council have some guts and tell Manchester to get lost.
Also if Ruth Kelly wants to stay as an MP she should agree to funding without the congestion charge strings.
Yet again Manchester is dominating the other 6 districts still in bed with them over congestion charging.
Bolton Council have some guts and tell Manchester to get lost.
Also if Ruth Kelly wants to stay as an MP she should agree to funding without the congestion charge strings.
Posted by: gn, bolton on 7:57pm Wed 30 Jan 08
do these idiots really expect people to believe that any charge is for congestion or climate change, is there anyone who is small minded enough, i need an headache tablet!!
do these idiots really expect people to believe that any charge is for congestion or climate change, is there anyone who is small minded enough, i need an headache tablet!!
Posted by: berushka, europe on 8:01pm Wed 30 Jan 08
so they will sting the motorist again to pay for other services that are under-funded! They should invest money in the railways and bus services and leave the motorist alone. And it has recently been shown that many people will not buy a hybrid car because they do not believe the government's promise not to tax them in the future. Buy the car, at great expence, traval half way around the county looking for someone who actually sells the fuel and then stand by to pay the same tax as everyone else. Manchester, go stuff yoursself and take Bolton council with you!
so they will sting the motorist again to pay for other services that are under-funded! They should invest money in the railways and bus services and leave the motorist alone. And it has recently been shown that many people will not buy a hybrid car because they do not believe the government's promise not to tax them in the future. Buy the car, at great expence, traval half way around the county looking for someone who actually sells the fuel and then stand by to pay the same tax as everyone else. Manchester, go stuff yoursself and take Bolton council with you!
Posted by: Simon, Kearsley on 8:15pm Wed 30 Jan 08
Bolton Council leader, Cllr Cliff Morris, who voted in favour of the bid, said: "I think we should be looking at ways of encouraging people to go green.
"But I've yet to be convinced about congestion charging and until I see what comes back from the Government I am not going to commit myself."
Translation
"I'll do as i'm told"
Bolton Council leader, Cllr Cliff Morris, who voted in favour of the bid, said: "I think we should be looking at ways of encouraging people to go green.
"But I've yet to be convinced about congestion charging and until I see what comes back from the Government I am not going to commit myself."
Translation
"I'll do as i'm told"
Posted by: john, bolton on 8:29pm Wed 30 Jan 08
It is proposals like this traffic tax that show up labour politicians for their ability to lie and dissemble. The money they need for the 'improvements' could easily be found from cutting out the waste that this government spends our money on. If they are allowed to get away with this extra tax in effect it becomes an approval for all the waste. The list of wasteful spending starts with over-priced PFI schemes, fines by the EU for late payments to farmers, destroying private pensions then having to reimburse, employment of consultants on a heroic scale for any project, useless weapon systems, illegal wars, selling off tons of gold at rock bottom prices.....
It is proposals like this traffic tax that show up labour politicians for their ability to lie and dissemble. The money they need for the 'improvements' could easily be found from cutting out the waste that this government spends our money on. If they are allowed to get away with this extra tax in effect it becomes an approval for all the waste. The list of wasteful spending starts with over-priced PFI schemes, fines by the EU for late payments to farmers, destroying private pensions then having to reimburse, employment of consultants on a heroic scale for any project, useless weapon systems, illegal wars, selling off tons of gold at rock bottom prices.....
Posted by: Rocky, Bowton on 8:59pm Wed 30 Jan 08
Oh my someone else noticed?
Cheers John, the names Paul..
Oh my someone else noticed?
Cheers John, the names Paul..
Posted by: Upsy Daisy on 9:24pm Wed 30 Jan 08
Don't forget those claiming benefits, they should also be exempt from paying any congestion charge...
Don't forget those claiming benefits, they should also be exempt from paying any congestion charge...
Posted by: wes t howfen, planet earth on 1:46am Thu 31 Jan 08
Emissions-based charging scheme?How much will the bus companies be charged for driving their gas-guzzling,filthy,
polluting charabancs into this "zone"?If,after over 10 years of a so-called labour govt,this is the best they can do,we are all in deep sh1t
Emissions-based charging scheme?How much will the bus companies be charged for driving their gas-guzzling,filthy,
polluting charabancs into this "zone"?If,after over 10 years of a so-called labour govt,this is the best they can do,we are all in deep sh1t
Posted by: John on 9:51am Thu 31 Jan 08
Of course congestion charging will be brought in. That's why all the main roads are being narrowed. This is the way to cause congestion. The council need more money to pay for the cost of paying their salary increase. The government and local councils are the most corrupt houses in this land.
Of course congestion charging will be brought in. That's why all the main roads are being narrowed. This is the way to cause congestion. The council need more money to pay for the cost of paying their salary increase. The government and local councils are the most corrupt houses in this land.
Posted by: John on 9:52am Thu 31 Jan 08
Of course congestion charging will be brought in. That's why all the main roads are being narrowed. This is the way to cause congestion. The council need more money to pay for the cost of paying their salary increase. The government and local councils are the most corrupt houses in this land.
Of course congestion charging will be brought in. That's why all the main roads are being narrowed. This is the way to cause congestion. The council need more money to pay for the cost of paying their salary increase. The government and local councils are the most corrupt houses in this land.
Posted by: Pugwash, Bolton on 10:00am Thu 31 Jan 08
Congestion charge? Do they really think that a greener car will cause less congestion - I don't think so!!
Why should motorists pay for private companies to improve their service (bus and trains) why can't they invest in it themselves to increase their profits like normal businesses.
Surely people have realised that humans are nothing to do with climate change by now, have you not seen the evidence? We produce much less so called "green house gases" then ever before and yet climate change is still happening. Does no one remember the government telling us that we were on the brink of on ice age 40 years ago, seems they got that wrong as well.
Congestion charge? Do they really think that a greener car will cause less congestion - I don't think so!!
Why should motorists pay for private companies to improve their service (bus and trains) why can't they invest in it themselves to increase their profits like normal businesses.
Surely people have realised that humans are nothing to do with climate change by now, have you not seen the evidence? We produce much less so called "green house gases" then ever before and yet climate change is still happening. Does no one remember the government telling us that we were on the brink of on ice age 40 years ago, seems they got that wrong as well.
Posted by: Jan Perry, Manchester on 1:59pm Thu 27 Mar 08
It really doesn't make any difference to congestion whether a car is green or not. More emphasis needs to placed on real alternatives. Cycling? walking? Public transport? Road travel is getting slower and slower and will continue to do so.
It really doesn't make any difference to congestion whether a car is green or not. More emphasis needs to placed on real alternatives. Cycling? walking? Public transport? Road travel is getting slower and slower and will continue to do so.
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