Manchester plans congestion charge

Friday, May 25, 2007

City wants to have two-zone charging area
Motorists will have electronic tag inside car
Scheme to be in place in five years

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City of Manchester officials are planning a sophisticated congestion charge - and it could be up and running in just five years.

The city is planning a two-zone system - there will be one outer cordon, roughly following the M60, and an inner cordon around the city centre.

The plan will use a sophisticated tagging system - drivers will have to carry an electronic tag inside their windscreen, which will be read by sensors positioned along 15 main corridors into the city. Number-plate reading cameras catch anyone trying to dodge the charges.

Charges will vary according to which corridors the driver uses - it would cost £2 to use the outer cordon, an extra £1 to enter the city centre, and another £1 to leave each of the zones. However, people using the roads outside of peak hours would pay nothing.

The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, which has created the proposals, will take the plan to the Government in July in a bid to obtain £1bn from the Transport Innovation Fund (TIF). Manchester is bidding against nine other local authorities for the money.

The city hopes to raise £118m each year, which will be part of a wider plan to improve Metrolink tram extensions, new trains and bus lanes.