‘No other way’ to tackle traffic congestion

1:31pm Thursday 20th November 2008

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Your correspondent Peter Fuller appears to be determined to undermine confidence in the GM TIF bid by questioning the ability of AGMA and the GMPTE to predict the future over the next 30 to 35 years.

The only thing which is unusual about the long-term loan we are being offered for the funding of public transport improvements is that it is, in effect, interest free for the first five years whilst the congestion charge will not start until 2013 at the earliest provided at least 80 per cent of those improvements are in place.

There is no better way to help us cope with the predicted recession.

If we all adopted Mr Fuller’s attitude then of one thing we can be sure — that we would be unable to avert the gridlock which is likely to develop in the absence of any action to make Greater Manchester’s public transport system fit for the 21st Century and persuade people to use it for most routine journeys. It is only too easy for people to strike poses but they offer us no alternative way to make some real progress in tackling traffic congestion, with benefits for economic efficiency, public health, community spirit and reduction of our carbon footprint — all of which will benefit just about everyone in Greater Manchester.

Derek Boden (Councillor Besses Ward) Whitefield