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Call for local poll on road charging
Peter Devine2/ 7/2008
A BOROUGH MP has welcomed a suggestion that a poll could be held asking Stopfordians for their opinion on congestion charging.
The referendum will be determined by the the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA), which is the body representing the 10 councils of Greater Manchester including Stockport.
Reddish MP Andrew Gwynne explained "If AGMA agrees to hold a referendum then it will allow for a proper debate to be held within the communities most directly affected by the proposals, and I welcome that. This is a big issue and it is right to let local people and local communities have their say in it. Under the current plans, my constituency would be sliced in two by the M60 outer charge zone and I, along with many of my constituents, remain concerned that those communities straddling the M60 – like the ones I represent – should be able to continue to operate as single communities if the charge scheme is introduced."
"If we are serious about tackling congestion going into Manchester city centre, then local people should not be penalised for making necessary local journeys. While I welcome the £3bn of investment for upgrading our public transport network, a referendum will allow AGMA to put their case for the charge in detail to the people and I hope the debate created will allow local communities to put their concerns forward to AGMA. Clearly if the important community cohesion issues I have been raising are not addressed, then people will probably not support the scheme, and a referendum gives us the power to put our case forward."
Liberal-Democrat run Stockport Council is one of the authorities opposed to the congestion charge plans after a poll carried out among residents voted against it.
When asked by the Stockport Express whether it would abide by a referendum, leader Councillor Dave Goddard, said he would be speaking with fellow councillors ahead of the AGMA meeting.
He added: "I will be consulting with members of my party about the issue of a referendum on congestion charging prior to that meeting taking place."
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