Improve public transport, say business leaders

8:02am Thursday 25th January 2007

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BUSINESS leaders have spoken out against road charging proposals announced today, claiming improvements must be made to public transport first and that they could cripple small companies.

Angie Robinson, chief executive of the Greater Manchester Chamber, said: "Congestion charging is part of the Government's transport policy, so we knew it was likely a charge would be proposed for Greater Manchester. Our position has always been that congestion charging should not be introduced until there are viable public transport alternatives in place."

Paul Norris, of business development consultants PNC Group in Mawdsley Street, Bolton, said: "My initial reaction is that I would be absolutely against it.

"Many local businesses are already operating on very tight margins, and transport costs make up a large part of their overheads. They would be faced with the decision of whether to absorb the costs or pass them on, either of which could gravely impact on their ability to function. These things have a way of coming true, so I would therefore hope that any revenue would be entirely put back into improving the road and transport infrastructure."