Manchester Congestion Charge ???

[Lucy]

Roger Jones has come third in Salford...

He was one of the strongest supporters of the congestion charge, I'm sure this will have the other jelly-backs running scared.

[PAH]

I think it's inevitable Manchester will get it at some point.

Maybe not a completely bad thing. They have a good tram system, and if I ever land a gig (or give in and go permie) in central manchester my car will largely be redundant.

Not sure I can afford the city centre lifestyle though. Was there the other weekend and got ripped 5 quid for a pint of cherry beer! I hope it counted as 1 of the 5 a day fruit/veg.

[Lucy]

I think it's inevitable Manchester will get it at some point.

Maybe not a completely bad thing. They have a good tram system, and if I ever land a gig (or give in and go permie) in central manchester my car will largely be redundant.

Not sure I can afford the city centre lifestyle though. Was there the other weekend and got ripped 5 quid for a pint of cherry beer! I hope it counted as 1 of the 5 a day fruit/veg.

It isn't certain, the councils need to support it.

I can't believe you can drink cherry beer in Manchester without getting smacked.

[Spacecadet]

Not sure I can afford the city centre lifestyle though. Was there the other weekend and got ripped 5 quid for a pint of cherry beer! I hope it counted as 1 of the 5 a day fruit/veg.

Northern Quarter?

[BoredBloke]

I think it's inevitable Manchester will get it at some point.

Maybe not a completely bad thing. They have a good tram system, and if I ever land a gig (or give in and go permie) in central manchester my car will largely be redundant.

Not sure I can afford the city centre lifestyle though. Was there the other weekend and got ripped 5 quid for a pint of cherry beer! I hope it counted as 1 of the 5 a day fruit/veg.

Yes the tram system is good, but it is limited in the towns it serves. It is also heavily used as are the local trains. So it comes down to the same old problem of not enough public transport, running at the times when people need it to compete with the car.

[PAH]

I can't believe you can drink cherry beer in Manchester without getting smacked.

Just thought I'd try it, seeing as I like cherries in general. If it's so poncy why do they sell it?

As for getting smacked. It's that reverse psychology thing. Must be hard to dare drink it in public. Just like the time I faced down some giant of a numbnuts on holiday because he was pestering a group of women I was with. He probably thought I was some black-belt ninja seeing as he could have pulped me without too much trouble if I'd shown any fear.

[BoredBloke]

Just thought I'd try it, seeing as I like cherries in general. If it's so poncy why do they sell it?

As for getting smacked. It's that reverse psychology thing. Must be hard to dare drink it in public. Just like the time I faced down some giant of a numbnuts on holiday because he was pestering a group of women I was with. He probably thought I was some black-belt ninja seeing as he could have pulped me without too much trouble if I'd showed any fear.

That's why I drink Babycham

[PAH]

Northern Quarter?

No, I think it was closer to deansgate locks as it was around the corner from granada studios. Not too sure of the area demarkations, only go into manchester a few times a year at most.

[Bagpuss]

I think it's inevitable Manchester will get it at some point.

Maybe not a completely bad thing. They have a good tram system, and if I ever land a gig (or give in and go permie) in central manchester my car will largely be redundant.

It's not inevitable, and it's not just central manchester, inside the m60 is being touted. This is why Bury has gone back to the Conservatives for the first time since the early 70s. They need 6 out of 10 councils and 4 were opposed, after the drubbing last night it could be 5 or 6 against.

[scooby]

I think it's inevitable Manchester will get it at some point.

Maybe not a completely bad thing. They have a good tram system, and if I ever land a gig (or give in and go permie) in central manchester my car will largely be redundant.

Not sure I can afford the city centre lifestyle though. Was there the other weekend and got ripped 5 quid for a pint of cherry beer! I hope it counted as 1 of the 5 a day fruit/veg.

totally disagree! i live in Rochdale, 13miles from the office. 3 options:
1, bus to City centre, bus to office = 1.4hrs travelling
2, bus to train station, train, tram or walk across centre, bus to office = 1.5hrs
3, car = 45mins.

unless they sort the tram to Rochdale which they have supposedly been doing for years, then i'll always be in car. its also cheaper at approx £2.50 diesel and £3 parking. train ticket alone costs £5.40.

the surrounding councils also need to agree, and there are several not interested, however, if i'm being honest, the congestion charge suggested is only £1 as i avoid the center, so it will be a business expense that is very affordable and no incentive to leave the car anyway!