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Poor turnout at first roadshow

18/ 7/2008

THE first of the public consultations on proposed road congestion charges attracted just 44 people.

The roadshow at Belle Vue Athletics Centre explained how the weekday peak-time congestion charge will work and gave visitors a chance to air their views.

It featured video presentations, giant maps, information boards and a Big Brother-style diary room to log people's opinions.

Organisers were upbeat even though just 44 visitors dropped in on the exhibition on Saturday during the annual Youth Games. Two left diary room messages.

Rita Quinn, of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, said: "It has been quiet today and that is disappointing.

"We have deliberately picked events where it will be busy. But this is the first of 66 days and we'll also be in Piccadilly Gardens and in towns on busy market days, so I'd expect that is when we will get numbers in through the doors."

The consultation did attract a small protest from anti-congestion charge group Manchester Against Road Tolls.

Sean Corker said his organisation attended the event "to put the other side of the story."

The £2.7bn Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) proposals include improvements to bus, rail, tram and school bus services, as well as a two-ring congestion charge system with a peak-hour charge of up to £10 per day.

The mobile exhibition will stop in all 10 local authorities over the coming weeks to let people know how they will be affected by the proposals.

Another one is being held this Saturday and Sunday in Piccadilly Gardens.

Brochures detailing the proposals have been sent out to all 1.2m homes in Greater Manchester.

The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities is due to make a decision in October.

A list of exhibition dates is on www.gmfuturetransport.com