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P ROAD CHARGING
Page 12
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Manchester C-charge plans 'fail on all counts', says FTA
By Chris Tindati.
THE FREIGHT Transport Association (FTA) has given a stinging rebuke to congestion charge proposals in Manchester, warning that they will damage the local economy and offer minimal benefits in journey time savings.
The trade association responded to a consultation launched by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) into plans for a charging system to ease traffic levels in the city and fund public transport improvements.
It says the AGMA is showing a "total lack of understanding of the importance of the logistics industry to the region". and adds that companies operating within the proposed zone could experience significant rises in their transport costs. It also questions AGMA's commitment to the economic viability of the region.
Malcolm Bingham, FTA head of roads policy, says: -FTA fully supports measures that keep goods and services moving as quickly and sustainably as possibly, but this scheme fails on all counts. At this time of economic uncertainty, regional authorities should be looking to support businesses, not make things harder for them."
The comments come after the Road Haulage Association urged all operators to respond to the consultation, which ended on 10 October, opposing the plans.
An alliance of international, national and local businesses, the Greater Manchester Momentum Group, has also been highly critical, saying that a congestion charge "will unfairly penalise businesses and their employees, hinder investment and affect our reputation as a world-class commercial centre."