The ‘nays’ have it, but at what cost?

Today, I find myself in the minority - the one-in-five minority, in fact. I voted ‘yes’ to congestion charging for Greater Manchester.

Having experienced the benefits in London first hand, I moved to the northwest last year and found myself once more in a major city dealing with this most thorny issue. It has been a divisive one, too, with my partner joining the many and voting a resounding ‘no’.

I was optimistic about the benefits of this more ambitious scheme for Manchester. Congestion charging has made inner London’s streets more civilized, boosted transport provision and made it a city for cyclists. I can attest to the latter, too, as I was a daily commuter from Liverpool Street to my employer’s offices in Pimlico for five years once the charge was introduced.

There was no reason why Greater Manchester, with congestion and its assocation problems extending well into its boroughs, could not benefit too.

Like London, here the campaigning has been intense. In recent weeks, you haven’t had to walk too far in the city before being presented with a pro or anti leaflet. Papers have been full of stories analysing the pros and cons of the scheme, and the pages have been plastered with advertisements placed by both the pro and anti camps.

Even pubs across the conurbation have drawn sides, too, with ‘no’ beer mats on tables in the Whitefield hostelry where I meet friends.

But during my conversations over drinks, it became increasingly clear that those hoping for the yes vote were, like me, optimistic.

My friends have been philosophical about the charge and, at least, have understood the proposals. Others hijacking our conversations have been resolute, though. The mere notion of paying more for motoring 'was fundamentally wrong' and their mistrust of ‘the government’ meant that there would be no real improvements in public transport.

Add to this the looming recession, and the plans did not stand a chance.

So what now? Manchester City Council has vowed to ensure investment in transport remains a priority for the city, but city officials will struggle to secure funding of the magnitude provided via the charge and Transport Innovation Fund bid.

And once the economy turns a corner, some (including the ‘nay sayers’) might just rue the opportunity that has been missed.