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The alternatives MUST be realistic

Peter Devine
31/ 1/2007

ALL four of the borough's MPs have welcomed the move to tackle congestion. But Hazel Grove and Cheadle Lib-Dem MPs Andrew Stunell and Mark Hunter have warned there needs to be a package of measures to cut congestion - including Metrolink and the new SEMMMS relief road to Manchester Airport

In a joint statement, Stockport and Reddish Labour MPs Ann Coffey and Andrew Gwynne said: "We welcome the important debate initiated by the Passenger Transport Authority into how to tackle the serious problem of traffic congestion in Greater Manchester, which affects so many of our constituents.

"We also share the concern that economic growth is likely to be affected in the near future, if the congestion problems are left unchecked, costing crucial jobs in the area.

"Traffic congestion is already causing major problems along key routes through Stockport. Only an integrated approach to tackling this will see a meaningful reduction in air pollution, which is contributing to asthma in adults in the borough.

"That approach must include substantial improvements in public transport alongside any charging to road users for congested routes at peak times. For example, the current campaign to introduce a rail service to Manchester Victoria via Reddish South station, investment in extra train carriages for the heavy rail Buxton to Manchester commuter line and bus service enhancements could form part of a package of improvements in the borough.

"There is no easy solution or any solution that is going to please everybody but we cannot sit back and do nothing. We think the principles outlined by the GMPTA give a way forward and also the increased cash investment will make a Metrolink to Stockport town centre from Didsbury more of a reality."

In their joint statement, Mr Stunell and Mr Hunter said: "The crucial point in any plan for tackling congestion in Stockport is the urgent need to complete the local road network - the A555 from Bredbury around Hazel Grove and on to the airport - and to see the tram extended from the airport line to Stockport town centre and beyond.

"Nothing should get in the way of that. Charging motorists before local residents have real alternatives would be a big mistake.

"While we fully appreciate that, for Manchester city centre and its immediate surroundings, congestion charging might be a good way to stop traffic build-up and promote environmentally conscious driving, we have serious reservations about the proposed congestion charging in Stockport borough.

"For instance, if drivers using the A6 are to be charged, it is obvious they will simply divert onto side roads - very much to the detriment of local residents' quality of life, increasing traffic in suburban streets, and creating a noisier and more accident-prone environment for local communities.

"Worse still, because the Metrolink does not reach their local area, they will not get any benefit from the facility these road charges are funding. It must be wrong that although there are not viable public transport alternatives, drivers from our constituencies will be charged for using their cars. Surely the first step is to provide effective and efficient alternative forms of public transport.

"There has already been a big public outcry across Stockport about this scheme. Surely then, the third 'executive test' that the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities announced, that 'measures, must be acceptable... to the public', has not been met and therefore the scheme has to be completely re-thought."


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Most recent 2 of 4 user comments

   Mike, stop being naive of course some people will be exempt. all the polticians who are in favour for 1, like the councillors who get a free parking badge for any car parks or the mp who puts 1000's of pounds on her expenses for travel and congestion charges.
Mary, Stockport
1/03/2007 at 12:41
   To make this charging work and fair to locals who will be charged everyday going to work, then evey single vehicle in the country will have to have an electronic device fitted just in case they visit this area. How can the Government know that in say every 100 vehicles passing somewhere maybe 20 of them are not local. How can they force somebody to have an electronic device fitted into your vehicle, how are the police to monitor all of this, they will be setting up road blocks to check if it has been fitted. More congestion. So how will charging work, ie get more vehicles off the road? What about delivery vehicles/taxis etc? Who will be exempt from the charging, write to your MP for more information. The more people that show them that we don't want it then maybe they will kick it out.
Mike, Stockport
6/02/2007 at 12:47
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