  |
ADRIAN OWENS - Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman, West Lancashire
|
|
Manchester congestion charge would affect West Lancashire
Adrian says that West Lancashire commuters and business face another motoring blow with the Government go-ahead for a congestion charge in Manchester “West Lancashire is ideally situated for commuting to the neighbouring cities, and many local residents work in Manchester. The proposed charge of up to £5 per day will add up to £1200 a year to their costs, which are already escalating from spiralling fuel costs.” Adrian is also concerned about the effect on road hauliers. “Hauliers locally are already finding the going tough. The fact that a higher congestion charge would apply to goods vehicles and that hauliers have not even been consulted about the proposals says a lot about the Government’s approach to business.” Adrian also pointed out that the north-west of England receives less funding per head of population than the national average and less than half that spent on Londoners. “Gordon Brown recently prompted anger when he claimed that the Government was providing sufficient funding to meet our region’s transport needs. When we are begging for funds for the Ormskirk by-pass and the Burscough curves, this claim from the Prime Minister is laughable”, Adrian said. “The Government is raking in billions of pounds of extra revenue from motorists through extra VAT on petrol and diesel. Yet at the same time, it is telling Manchester that it can only have funds for much-needed public transport improvements if they introduce a congestion charge. They should put this matter to a local referendum as happened in Edinburgh.” Copyright © 2008, Adrian Owens - Revised -- 09/06/08 |
Homepage About Adrian News Archive Beliefs & Priorities Articles Have your say Contact Adrian |
