Cheshire East response to the Manchester Congestion Charge

Many may be outraged, as I am, that the question for the Manchester congestion charge referendum has been drafted as:

"Do you agree with the Transport Innovation Fund proposals?"

Evidently they hope that if they don't mention the charge that people may not notice.

Cheshire East have now made a response to Manchester with regards to the charge:

That Greater Manchester Transport Innovation Fund be informed
that the proposals are unacceptable to Cheshire East Council on
the grounds that:

• This consultation exercise has again been largely targeted
within the Manchester Boundary. In particular, it is
unsatisfactory that efforts have not been made to fully
engage with residents and business in the wider Manchester
travel to work area on the scale used within Manchester
itself. There is further concern that the planned referendum
will only apply to Greater Manchester residents.

• There has been a complete lack of serious analysis and
identification of transport improvements beyond the Greater
Manchester boundary. The promoters have not acted to
engage with the Cheshire Councils to consider cross
boundary schemes that would be beneficial to residents and
businesses and provide an alternative to paying the
congestion charge.

• If the TIF proposals are to deliver the full economic potential
that is suggested, then they will need to extend and improve
connectivity to labour markets and businesses outside
Manchester. However, the planned measures do not
address what improvements would be necessary for those
areas beyond Greater Manchester including Cheshire East.