There was a resounding three quarters majority against the plan.
Voters turned out in their thousands to have their say on what had become a prickly issue across the county, with 45.3% of Wigan borough's 235,043 electorate using their vote.

Lord Peter Smith, who is also leader of the Association of Greater Manchester Councils was a strong supporter of the proposed congestion charge.

Lord Smith was accused of arrogance by opposition councillors after what they considered was an attempt to force the proposals through without due consideration for popular opinion in Wigan.

Independent councillor Jim Ellis said: "This is an example of Peter Smith trying to bulldoze this through.

"He had taken up an arrogant stance about the charge in an effort to push it through. I would call for Peter Smith's resignation following this defeat – it is a major blow."

A bitterly disappointed Lord Smith said: "While we will of course respect the outcome of the vote, I am personally saddened for all those who deserve the best quality public transport, lower bus fares and a safer and cleaner environment to travel across Greater Manchester which would have been delivered by the unprecedented level of investment."

Across the borough almost 80,000 people voted against the proposals that would have seen road pricing zones placed around central Manchester, with just 27,810 saying yes to the proposed charge.
More than a million people turned out across Greater Manchester, with 80% voting No.

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