In early 2008, AGMA and GMPTE put forward proposals for a congestion charge in Greater Manchester. The charge was the subject of a public vote in the summer of 2008.
We were appointed by the Stop the Charge coalition to examine the economic costs of the scheme to underpin their lobbying work. We critiqued the appropriateness of the road charging scheme in the context of the congestion problems in Greater Manchester, the business and financial case on which it rested, and the possibility of a range of un-intended consequences occurring if the scheme went ahead. We also looked at some of the alternative options that were open in tackling congestion.
The public referendum eventually decided, by a factor of 4 to 1, against proceeding with the charge. Our evidence was central to the work of the Stop the Charge coalition.
Preparation of evidence on the economic costs of a proposed congestion charge. Our work was influential in shaping public opinion.
Consortium of major Manchester businesses