This government keeps saying they will people what they want. We want a vote on this matter

bob, Birmingham, uk

After the congestion charge comes into force just how long it will take until this charge is raised and becomes an all day tariff. I am guessing not too long.

They say they are investing in public transport too, but if this happens the cost of using public transport will increase also!

David, m/c,

100 Billion to save MPs in Newcastle, 2.7 Billion to save Crewe and nantwich, but only 250 million to save Ruth Kellys seat in Manchester. It's either getting cheaper, or Labour have fianlly worked out that they can't save themselves.

David Leslie, Perth, Scotland

These so called congestion charge schemes are all for money raising and have nothing to do with congestion. If they realy wanted to reduce congestion pay people to drive out of the charge zone. The Manchester scheme is talking of charging you to go in and to go out of the zone. This just proves it.

Mike Trowsdale, Chessington,

Tony Blair knew the risk of this war in Iraq, he knew it would mess up the economy. While Iraq was not producing due to the war,forced prices up, & there is nothing that ever comes down. The Arab world is taking revenge on the west. Bush family did the same during the 2nd world war & got RICH.

daphne kenward, cambridge, uk

Smell a rat? You can have yet another tax and have to agree to that before you get the carrot which may appear in 5 years' time when of course this government wil be history. Absolutely pathetic. Why not invest NOW in the public transport infrastructure then see if a tax is required.

JohnM, Perth, Scotland, UK

other than congestion charge what else did they think of to cut down traffic around the rush hour.they have just seen a big pot of money from the goverment and thats it they have to have it. they will then pat each other on the back and tell us how good it is working. how often will the cost go up.

mark, wigan,

The cost of implementing the scheme will rise significantly as it always does with publicly driven grand projects and income will be less than expected.

And we, the people, will have to pick up the bill when it all goes pear-shaped.

doug, Manchester,

Moan, Moan, Moan. Forget the politics for a minute and think for yourselves. It's about freedom of choice - get the tram, or the better trains, or the better buses and enjoy your hassle & CO2 free journey into work or sit in a queue spewing out CO2. Oh, and there is no charge after 9.30am. Think on!

john, Manchester, UK

How is Manchester a world class city?
What other world class city has this C Charge other than London?

Jose, Galicia, Spain

More money to keep those gold-plated pensions of the council staff nice and high, and the freebies assured. Absolutely nothing in it for Joe Public though, except pay more out, get nothing back.

Paul Downes, Milton Keynes, Bucks, UK

"...scheme which would make Manchester the first provincial city to follow London in introducing a congestion charge...". Technically accurate as it will be the first city to follow London. Of course Durham was the first "provincial city" to introduce a C-charge in 2002 with London following it.

Jon, London,

This will mostly be a gigantic payday for contractors and consultants (I'd love to know how many contribute to Labour). What we need is existing services to be cheaper, more reliable, cleaner, and safer for the travelling public. Why invest in services to be run by the same incompetents as now?

Jamie, Manchester, UK

“My belief is that if the politicians of Greater Manchester have the strength and confidence to do what is very clearly in the long-term interests of this conurbation and all its people, we won’t be punished at the ballot box, we will be rewarded for that strength of purpose.”
ER............ NO

Simon, newbury, uk

Why not give the people of Manchester a chance to say if they want the congestion charge... I think it is called democracy.

Andrew brown, derby, UK

How dare they charge motorists even more money when they are already suffering higher fuel bills?

Rowan, Oxford,

Leese sounds like a military dictator from China.
People of Manchester are being taxed for living and working in there own City but people who want to shop are welcome.He thinks votes will not be lost sums up how far away from reality he is.
Watch the bus lanes go once he can tax more cars!!!!

Philip Hare, Stockport, UK

The area within the M60 is a huge conurbation with both football stadiums, Tafford Park Industrial area, the university, golf courses and many other suburban amenities and you can bet your life that very few of the proposed inprovements to public transport will occur.

John Tomlinson, Brentwood (ex-Manchester), UK

They might make more money if they charged people who wanted to LEAVE Manchester.

Frank Upton, Solihull,

Why wait till 2013? Public transport users have endured high fares and often mediocre service (partly due to traffic congestion) for years - everyone forgets them in these debates. And Laura forgets that the proceeds in London have been used to make improvements for the 6m-plus a day bus users.

Barry, Wallington, UK

As I understand it, the investment in metrolink (extensions inc. Worsley & Bolton) was withdrawn 3 years ago without a definitive reason.

We know now!

Steve, Bury, UK

Democracy has died in the UK.
This appalling socialist government has bought Stazi style control to our society.
We are monitored,overcharged,overruled and have lost our power to the unelected in Brussels.
The former eastern bloc totalitarians would be proud of new labour.

James, London, UK

All that will happen is manchest city center will become a no go zone every one will move out, but not before they vote for conservative or even BMP to punish labour, O what wounders will they think of next?

Mr W Jones, Liverpool, England

Improving public transport is one thing but taxing just the motorist to pay for it is despicable descrimination! To be fair all residents and all people working in the area (regarless as to how they get to work) should pay for the improved public transport, stop ripping off the motorist!

Jonathan, Preston, UK

Great, another nail in Labour's coffin! Anyway why should people that go to work be penalised?

marion marchant, Reigate,

What about all the small businesses based in and around Manchester? I've spoken to one lady in particular who is based in Chorlton (outside the zone) and also has a shop insude the congestion zone. Smaller firms will struggle to compete as they make deliveries, etc across town.

Jane Bennett, Forum of Private Business, Manchester, UK

The simple point is we DO NOT WANT this charge in Manchester.

It will kill the city centre!

Steve, Manchester, UK

I drive into Manchester (just inside the M60) about 6 times a year, and spend money there. Now I'm going to have to pay for the installation of an electronic tag in my car for a very occasional journey. Guess how many times I'll make the trip in future?

Ecgbert, Sheffield,

How do people who don't live in Manchester; so don't have an electronic tag, get charged? Will drivers without tags be unable to enter the town?

Phil, Warrington, England

The majority of people don't work in the city centre - they work within the M60. Crossing the city on public transport mostly isn't viable.
People won't have to pay the charge - as businesses will relocate.
Great for the city - watch all those new appartments sit empty.

W Smith, Manchester,

Disaster. The congestion charge in London is a complete and utter failure resulting in negligible increase in speed, no reduction in congestion jams and an increase in traffic in the surrounding areas.

But it's earned lots and lots of money, and that's what this is all about.

Legalised theft.

Laura Roberts, London, United Kingdom