A row has broken out in Manchester after it was revealed that pro-congestion charge councillors want to build themselves a private underground car park in the city centre.According to the Manchester Evening News, senior Labour councillors are investigating plans to dig a new car park next to the town hall with spaces for a least 100 cars.Labour councillor Bernard Priest told the newspaper, “It is in the interests of democracy that councillors should be able to park for free when they are attending meetings.”Rival politicians branded the plans “hypocritical” as the ruling Labour group tries to push drivers onto public transport.Controversy has been raging for some time in Manchester over the plans to introduce a peak-time road toll scheme that stretches beyond the city centre out to the M60 ring road. Supporters of the c-charge scheme say that the plan will be accompanied by significant improvements in public transport. However, critics say that the figures do not add up and that any improvements in public transport cannot hope to cover the needs of all Greater Manchester commuters.There are also fears that the scheme will see an extensive and permanent reduction in road space and car parking space in Manchester city centre.
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Re: Rows over Manchester C-charge
I think you will find the underground car park idea was scrapped just before the whole Congestion Charge scheme was voted out by more than 4 to 1.
Most of the extensions to the tram network are going ahead anyway, the money had already been allocated for that. It is things like a bus lane along the East Lancashire Road (A580) that are not going ahead.
Despite the result, some of the councillors have now gone on record as saying this plan was too important and should not have been subjected to a democratic vote!! Too bad, I think a few more who supported the scheme will be voted out oo office at the next election.
Re: Rows over Manchester C-charge
The decision to build themselves a private car park must be put into context in that for the last 18 months the cities leaders have preached 'behavioural change' and 'reducing car use'. There are also future plans to reduce both on and off street parking in the city centre. The city is earning a reputation as one of the most car unfriendly in he country
Re: Rows over Manchester C-charge
This is not the place for politics - but I'm sure you will find that all local councillors are pretty much the same, regardless of party. After all, who would actually want to be a councillor - unless there is something in it for them? It's not for the fame and glamour.
As for your observation "most deceitful and vile government in my living memory (I am 34!!)" If you were older, you would remember the Thatcher government - not exactly unknown for recessions.