Tsar to rein in unfair congestion charges

23 July 2008
 
Greater Manchester is to get a road pricing tsar to protect drivers against unfair rises in the congestion charge.

An independent regulator will be appointed to make sure any future changes, particularly costs, are independently and publicly scrutinised, and are reasonable and acceptable to the public and businesses.

Unlike London, where prices have been allowed to rise significantly and extra zones bolted on, any proposed changes in Greater Manchester would be fully scrutinised by an independent regulator and must pass three tests set by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA).

The tests state that any changes must be acceptable to the public and business community, should be focused on tackling congestion, and have to promote economic growth and social inclusion. All the revenue raised from the charge will be spent on improving public transport and tackling congestion.

Lord Peter Smith, leader of AGMA, said: ‘The appointment of an independent regulator will ensure that charging proposals beyond 2013 will be scrutinised to ensure they are reasonable and are related to congestion, not the creation of a cash cow where revenue can be siphoned-off to spend on anything other than public transport improvements.’

The regulator, who will be full-time, must be appointed by elected members and business representatives before the proposed introduction of the charge in 2013. AGMA would invite its new Business Leadership Council to consult with Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the CBI and other business associations, and assume responsibility for the open recruitment of the independent regulator.

Lord Smith added: ‘There are no proposals being considered to extend the present two rings proposal. An extension is not being contemplated, nor would it be justified.’

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