Knowledge Centre
11th June 2008
Small businesses will be among those worst affected by the introduction of Manchester's congestion charges, according to the Forum of Private Business.
The FPB said that the concerns of smaller firmd were not considered before the Transport Innovation Fund bid was put forward by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA).
FPB Campaigns Assistant Jane Bennett said that, while the AGMA sought local opinion on the bid for funds to improve public transport, local businesses had not been consulted on the issue of congestion charging.
Motorists could be charged up to £5 a day to enter Manchester city centre under a new congestion scheme. Drivers would be charged for crossing two charging 'rings' between 7am & 9.30am and 4pm & 6.30pm.
The FPB report that businesses based in Manchester's city centre are worried that people will seek employment outside the congestion charging zone. There is also concern that businesses will be forced to relocate.
"The £5 cap per vehicle per day is going to have a massive financial impact on my business," said Andrew Ince, whose architectural firm is located in the city centre. "I'm going to have to consider whether or not we stay in Manchester and I am concerned the congestion charge will also affect the value of our property."
Seven out of the 10 Greater Manchester councils must now vote 'yes' to congestion charges if the system is to come into force in 2013.
The FPB is encouraging small businesses to reject the plans and to put their opinion across at the next AGMA consultation exercise.
In support of the congestion charges, an alliance of Greater Manchester businesses called United City has been established to counter those opposing the plans.
The Environmental Transport Association are also pro-congestion charges. "We support the idea of road user charging," said a spokesperson for the ETA. "After all, with car ownership increasing 25 per cent every 10 years, left unattended the situation can only get worse."
Congestion charge will leave small firms 'struggling to pay'
The FPB said that the concerns of smaller firmd were not considered before the Transport Innovation Fund bid was put forward by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA).
FPB Campaigns Assistant Jane Bennett said that, while the AGMA sought local opinion on the bid for funds to improve public transport, local businesses had not been consulted on the issue of congestion charging.
Motorists could be charged up to £5 a day to enter Manchester city centre under a new congestion scheme. Drivers would be charged for crossing two charging 'rings' between 7am & 9.30am and 4pm & 6.30pm.
The FPB report that businesses based in Manchester's city centre are worried that people will seek employment outside the congestion charging zone. There is also concern that businesses will be forced to relocate.
"The £5 cap per vehicle per day is going to have a massive financial impact on my business," said Andrew Ince, whose architectural firm is located in the city centre. "I'm going to have to consider whether or not we stay in Manchester and I am concerned the congestion charge will also affect the value of our property."
Seven out of the 10 Greater Manchester councils must now vote 'yes' to congestion charges if the system is to come into force in 2013.
The FPB is encouraging small businesses to reject the plans and to put their opinion across at the next AGMA consultation exercise.
In support of the congestion charges, an alliance of Greater Manchester businesses called United City has been established to counter those opposing the plans.
The Environmental Transport Association are also pro-congestion charges. "We support the idea of road user charging," said a spokesperson for the ETA. "After all, with car ownership increasing 25 per cent every 10 years, left unattended the situation can only get worse."
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