Politicians clash over transport fees
Wigan leader Lord Smith has denied congestion charging has created a permanent rift in the 10 local authorities that make up the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities.
Lord Smith, who is also leader of AGMA, was reacting to Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) boss Roger Jones's comments at the Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton.
Mr Jones claimed failure to win a congestion package would not only threaten public transport but could spell the end for AGMA as well.
Mr Jones told a fringe meeting: "I think that the real agenda of some of the opponents is to replace AGMA with an elected mayor, who would be more amenable to big businesses and government plans.
"If the councils want an elected mayor they should continue with their opposition because this is, in essence, a plan to kill off AGMA."
But Lord Smith said today that AGMA is committed to improvingtransport and the region's economy.
Lord Smith said: "We (AGMA) are working together very constructively to improve public transport and the economy in Greater Manchester.
"There is no rift in AGMA.
"In fact, we will have more of an opportunity and freedom to work together in future and we are all in favour of that."
In July Wigan and AGMA backed plans to introduce congestion charging in Manchester – but Stockport and Trafford voted against the bid.
Other opposition has come from the Tories and even Labour MPs such as Blackley's Graham Stringer.
Lord Smith says he is confident once people realise the benefits of congestion charging they will welcome it.
He said: "Look at the roads when the schools aren't in. If every day was a school holiday and we could take that amount of traffic off the road people would welcome it.
"Nobody wants to pay more but if that means they get to where they want and on time I think people will welcome that.
"It's not going to happen in Wigan borough, if at all, for some considerable time.
"The intention is to have a system in the centre of Manchester where the greatest congestion is and then see where we will go.
"We don't intend to do anything until 2012, it's not an immediate thing."
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Weather for Wigan
Tuesday 07 February 2012
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