Transport Crucible

Consultations end soon on plans for a huge C–Charge/Road Pricing scheme in Manchester – and on whether London should keep the Western Extension of its Congestion Charging zone. But daggers are being drawn by doubters about the truth of claims by charging scheme supporters – and opponent’s concerns include a claim by Andrew Gilligan that ‘lies’ could skew voting. Go here to see more of Gilligan’s view in the London Evening Standard that “much of the key information given to those taking part [in consultations] is misleading or wrong”. And go here for Sean Corker’s view on how Manchunians are “being deceived” about the extent of rising traffic levels. However, earlier this month, Martin Cassini said in the Guardian that TfL had “come clean about the failure of the congestion charge to reduce congestion”, from which he concludes that it is perhaps time to scrap it altogether… Anyway, in accord with an election promise by new London Mayor Boris Johnson, Transport for London (TfL) are now completing consultations on whether to keep the Western extension of the charging zone that they introduced in February 2007 under management by previous Mayor Ken Livingstone – despite a massive vote against it at the time. The TfL summary of the impacts of withdrawing the extension can be found here. Go here for details of the Manchester plans and consultation according to its proposers. TC suggests that we will have to wait and see who’s right or wrong about these consultations but perhaps the Spoof News here is as good a place to place to look for answers in the mean time…