MP backs congestion charge

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MP backs congestion charge

Nov 26, 2008

Golborne could get its long awaited railway station ... but only if there's a 'yes' vote for the congestion charge.

Leigh MP Andy Burnham has announced that the long dreamed-of scheme would get the green light and funding had been confirmed to subsidise the service.  The news prompted Mr Burnham to come down in favour of the yes vote in December's referendum. He had previously been undecided over the Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) proposals to invest £3bn in Greater Manchester's public transport in exchange for a peak-time congestion charge on journeys to and from Manchester city centre.

He said: "This is the news we have been waiting for.  "I have campaigned in support of a new railway station in Golborne since my election in 2001 and I want to thank all those who signed petitions and put pen to paper in support of a rail station for Golborne. The fact a clear way forward to include this in the TIF proposals has now been agreed is fantastic - all we need now is a yes vote to seal the deal.

"The importance of high quality rail services between Leigh and Manchester cannot be overstated and it will be even more important should the TIF package go ahead.

"It is very good news for the Leigh area and will help give people choice and easier access to jobs." He says a new station on the line could also increase the chances of a station at nearby Chat Moss. New rail services are set to run between Wigan and Manchester via Golborne from 2013 as part of the TIF proposals. Up to £14 million would be invested from re-allocated Local Transport Plan (LTP) funds, if TIF gets a 'Yes' vote in December's referendum. Atherton station would also be refurbished and have more park and ride spaces made available.

But some local politicians remain unconvinced.Independent councillors Bob Splaine and Norman Bradbury of Atherton are against the TIF proposals.

Mr Bradbury said: "The biggest problem with the TIF bid is that it will be a one-off payment which is mostly being spent on eye-catching schemes which do nothing to change people's mode of transport. New buses for the private operators will help to increase their profits and share value.

"I believe the guided busway is doomed before it's built. GMPTA are unwilling to learn by other people's mistakes – guided busways are a failed technology. No other country is investing in Guided Busway Schemes and where they've been tried in the past they have subsequently been abandoned and replaced by light rail.

"The TIF bid will have no effect on fares. If any meaningful progress is to be made, the Government must give ongoing assistance to local authorities to provide cheaper fares through subsidies. Just look at the increased use of public transport by the over 60s since the introduction of their free bus pass.

"Why couldn't the £1.5billion in grants from the Government have been made without strings attached or a requirement to borrow money from the private sector?"

Source: Leigh Reporter

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