Manchester Congestion Charge was introduced by the Government not only for reducing the congestion and the demand for more road space in Manchester, but also to acquire revenues for improving public transport in Manchester and especially for the expansion of Manchester Metrolink. In a nutshell, Manchester Congestion Charge is a scheme for introduction of road pricing in the Greater Manchester County. The proposal of levying congestion charge in the Greater Manchester region is an integral part of a bid to the government's Transport Innovation fund or (TIF).
The implementation of Manchester Congestion Charge will take place in distinct phases. In the first phase, there will be the setting up of the system, which will be financed by a part of the approved grant from TIF. This loan will be repaid in installments from the revenue collected from this congestion charge for a period of over 30 years. After this period the charges will revert back to the Central exchequer. The second phase of the system is the planning of distance charging through satellite. In this phase the drivers have to pay exactly for the number of miles they travel.
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Two cordons will be used to implement this congestion charge, the first would cover the main part of the Greater Manchester Urban Area and the other would cover the Manchester City Center. A congestion charge of 2.00 pounds will be levied on vehicles entering the area fringed by the M60 motorway; an additional 1 pound will be levied for vehicles entering the city center. In the evening, a further 1 pound will be levied on the vehicles when they exit the cordoned area. Outbound charges will be imposed between 7.00 am and 6:30pm and in bound charges will be applicable only during 7am to 9:30 am during the rush hours. No charge will be imposed during mid day, during weekend or late in the evening. Payment will be via pre pay tag and beacon system wherein credit will automatically deducted from the driver's account as he will pass different cordons.
The proposed congestion charge in Manchester has evoked a mixed public and political reaction. Majority of the people support the cause. The proposal was voted at a meeting of the Association of Greater Manchester Local Authorities on July 27, 2007. It took only 45 minutes and majority voted for the congestion charge giving it a green signal.
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