Trucks freed from Manchester congestion charge
Tue, 28 Oct 2008
The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (Agma) has agreed to remove trucks from the city’s congestion charging scheme, until its affects on transport operators can be properly studied.
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) welcomed the news and said Agma had recognised the importance of freight traffic to the city.
“This is good news,” said RHA northern director, Geoff Dunning. “We have had many meetings with the authorities and it is extremely encouraging to have confirmation that our voice has been heard.
“The new proposals give the industry an opportunity to prove that the impact of congestion charging on car traffic in the first twelve months of operation does not meaningfully reduce the operating costs of trucks,” he went on to say.
"Operators in Greater Manchester will still be encouraged to vote ‘No’ in the local referendum, which could well mean the scheme fails anyway, but if the result is ‘Yes’, the industry will be able to demonstrate that the charge should not apply to trucks.
He said: “In addition, the AGMA has made it clear that the establishment of a new partnership with the RHA and the freight industry in general in the New Year will have significant potential for the future of transport planning and the development of an integrated approach to a reduction in congestion within Greater Manchester.”
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