Most oppose congestion charging

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City centre congestion charges are adding to drivers' woes as they face ever-increasing motoring costs, new research has revealed.

A survey of 1,000 people in Manchester found that 62% oppose being charged to drive into the city centre, and a massive 86% said they wanted a referendum on the scheme. Just 32% were in favour of congestion charging - although only on condition that the proceeds were ploughed back into public transport.

The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) has recently won Government approval to introduce congestion zone charging in the city from 2013, providing it part-funds £2.8 billion of improvements to Greater Manchester’s public transport system.

The 'two-ring' scheme would charge motorists travelling between 7am and 9.30am £2 for crossing an 'outer' ring, and a further £1 for crossing the 'inner' ring, which roughly follows the inner relief road around Manchester city centre. A further £1 charge would be imposed on any vehicle crossing each of these rings on its way out of the city between 4pm and 6.30pm.

The scheme would see Manchester become the first major British city outside London to introduce large-scale congestion charging.

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