Bolton Say's "NO" to the Congestion Charge!

Plans for a congestion charge for Greater Manchester have been given the red light by voters.

Almost two million ballot papers were posted out to residents in the 10 local authority areas last month and all 10 voted to reject the proposals.

Of Bolton's electorate of 199,819, 48.8 per cent voted. Figures announced revealed 76,910 voted against the proposals, with 20,529 voting yes.

The results, announced by returning officer Sir Neil McIntosh at Manchester Central conference centre, will deal a fatal blow to the scheme, which would have created the country’s biggest road congestion zone, charging drivers up to £5 a day to use the region’s roads.

It could also spell the end for any further plans to introduce similar schemes, given the resounding rejection by voters.

Each of the councils across Greater Manchester must now cast a vote on whether they support the charge which forms part of a £3 billion TIF bid for cash.

That decision will be made next Friday.

The congestion charge would have been be a peak-time, weekday levy for traffic in and out of Manchester city centre and within the M60.

Commenting, Cllr Andy Morgan, Parliamentary Candidate for Bolton South East and Hulton Ward Councillor said “The public of Bolton have spoken and we hope that this now spells the end to possibility of a Congestion Charge for Greater Manchester.  We now hope that the Labour Executive of Bolton Council does the right thing and votes against the proposals at the next AGMA Meeting on 19th January, we will be watching”.