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Manchester C-charge plan is slammed by local haulier
Page 8
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By Joanna Bourke TRAFFORD PARK-based Kerry Logistics has lashed out at the proposed Manchester congestion charge, warning the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) that it should think again if it believes the industry has been persuaded that a congestion zone would benefit them.
The multimodal firm says the charge would cost it £120 dailv, and remains unconvinced the AGMA will get the seven out of 10 green lights it needs from Manchester's local authorities.
Steve Barratt, traffic manager at Kerry Logistics, says: "We would prefer if it was deferred forever. I honestly don't know anyone who is going to vote for it. If they decided after one year that HGVs had to pay, we could be charged up to £120 a day for the fleet because we do lots of local jobs."
Ahead of the referendum on 11 December, the AGMA has said HGVs will not have to pay for the first year of the scheme (`Trucks get year reprieve from Manchester C-charge", CM 6 November).
David Leather, interim chief executive of GMPTE, the area's public transport group, said at the Annual Road Pricing Conference last week:"This will allow operators to see the outcome of the scheme." It is anticipated that the charges will reduce the number of vehicles on the road by 10-15%.
The earliest the congestion charge would be implemented is July 2013, and when a minimum of 80% of the public transport improvements are in place.
James Firth, North England policy manager at the Freight Transport Association (FTA), says the trade body will work closely with AGMA to see if benefits can be proven — but adds that, to date, no substantial proof has been seen.