Business groups vie for position on Manchester congestion charge

Business groups are further defining the battle lines over Manchester's proposed congestion charge.

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has launched a petition, which argues that the charges could drive small businesses and entrepreneurs, as well as customers, out of the city centre.

The FPB's policy representative Matt Goodman said the charges "will heap on extra delivery costs, and damage the relationships between smaller businesses and their suppliers, not to mention their customers."

"It will make Manchester less competitive with other regions and therefore less attractive to businesses looking to set up there," he added.

Meanwhile United City, a lobby group of Greater Manchester businesses formed in support of the city's Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) bid, says its membership has grown to more than 50 firms. The group argues that improvements to Manchester's public transport system, to be funded by the TIF, could be good for businesses.

United City recently added to the conditions it set out for its support of the proposed changes. The group is now arguing that the congestion charge should be capped for business vehicles that have to cross charging zones more than once during charging periods.