Mark Hunter MP

Working hard for Cheadle, Bramhall, Cheadle Hulme, Gatley, Heald Green, Woodford, Stepping Hill and parts of Hazel Grove - all year round!

Mark Hunter MP

Local MP speaks out in Parliament against Manchester C Charge programme

5.33.14pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 2nd Jul 2008

Mark speaking in the Chamber

Mark spoke out against the introduction of the Manchester Congestion Charge in the House of Commons

Cheadle MP Mark Hunter today told the House of Commons of the "seething resentment" felt by many residents in his constituency at the prospect of having to pay the proposed Greater Manchester Congestion Charge. Speaking in a debate on the consultation process for the controversial scheme, Mr Hunter added that the proposals were fundamentally flawed and particularly unpopular with residents outside the proposed outer ring of the charge zone.

Explaining why he was "not persuaded" of the case for a referendum Mr Hunter said, "The question of whether to proceed or not will be based on a different premise depending on where you live. I can well understand why a city centre resident might think the scheme is good news because they will not have to pay, but will benefit from the public transport improvements. In the Cheadle constituency, on the other hand, all residents live beyond the second outer ring and will therefore have to pay twice to get into and out of the city centre without benefiting from any of the improvements to public transport."

Mr Hunter went on to say, "As far the promised improvements to public transport are concerned - we've heard it all before from the government, so why should we believe them now? We were first promised the Metrolink extension many years ago, and the completion of the A555 Relief Road was on the agenda even earlier than that - but we're still waiting!"

Mr Hunter also made clear that if the GMPTA do proceed with the proposed referendum across Greater Manchester he will be campaigning for a "NO" vote alongside his constituents.

Bookmark this story at: del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg FacebookFacebook LibDigLibDig redditreddit StumbleUponStumbleUpon
Print this news story.
Comment on this news story.
Previous news story: Local MP pleased with progress at new Health Centre - Heald Green set to get top spec new facilities (Tue 1st Jul 2008).
Next news story: Local MP visits essential Cancer Care centre (Thu 3rd Jul 2008).

Related News Stories:

Mon 21st Jul 2008:

Fri 11th Jul 2008:

Tue 16th Oct 2007:

Related Speeches:

Tue 1st Jul 2008:

Printed and hosted by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY.
Published and promoted by K Holloway on behalf of Mark Hunter MP (Liberal Democrat), both at 3 Gillbent Road, Cheadle Hulme SK8 7LE
The views expressed are those of the party, not of the service provider.