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Congestion Charging Lobby
Foreword - Lobby
Recent reports in the motorcycle press and local papers have stated that the proposed congestion charging scheme for Manchester, has initial plans to include charging for motorcycles.
This document outlines the response from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG UK) and gives riders the opportunity to lobby decision makers and those with influence.
It sets out the reasons for an exemption for motorcycles based on compelling evidence that they do not cause congestion as has been demonstrated in London, Durham, Stockholm and as outlined in proposals for congestion charging in Edinburgh.
The purpose of this response is based on a question that MAG put forward to the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority and that was recently answered by the authority on their website.
Question: ould motorbikes be exempt from any congestion charge?
Answer: It is possible Motorbikes will pay less than cars - this is still being considered.
Motorcycle Action Group MAG UK
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG UK) is a lobbying organisation that exists to represent, protect and promote the interests and rights of motorcycling.
MAG is a member of the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA) comprising of 23 national riders' rights organisations from 18 European countries.
MAG represents riders nationally, mainly via its representation to Parliament, and Government agencies through the National Motorcycle Council which deals specifically at present with the delivery of the “Governments National Motorcycle Strategy.
MAG is organised through a national structure of twenty regions with riders represented locally by local groups. In this case the North West region is represented by Blackpool Area - Liverpool & West Lancashire - Red Rose - Wirral & Chester and Manchester Local Groups.
Background to Congestion Charging
The proposal for a traffic charging scheme by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) is aimed to overcome the increasing problems of congestion in this city.
The Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority has stated, “We can bid to government for a 3 billion pound package of local transport investment and local congestion charging. If we're successful, this would be the biggest and most far-reaching transport investment programme ever launched outside London.”
All the local authorities within the Greater Manchester area met at the end of January and agreed in principle to a charge on 15 roads. Although the bid is to be submitted later this year the decision to make the bid to Government appears to be due to be made at the end of July 2007.
If AGMA does decide to submit a bid at the end of July, a formal (second stage), statutory consultation, as set out by the Department for Transport will be undertaken. This will include full consultation around each and every individual scheme proposed in the TIF (Transport Innovation Fund) bid outlined on May 25th.
No congestion charging could be introduced before there has been significant improvement in Greater Manchester's public transport. A first phase system could be in place by late 2012.
Trevor Baird
Public Affairs Director (MAG UK)
The Lobby - Local
This section of the lobby is for local riders i.e. those who are directly affected by the proposed congestion charging scheme.
Although an email is fast and easy, try to send a letter.
We are always conscious that standard letters can get ignored. For maximum impact every letter needs to be personal.
Therefore you may wish to start your letter with:
I am writing to you as a motorcyclist regarding the proposed congestion charging scheme in Manchester.
And then pick out relevant points from the included MAG response. You may have other issues that are personal to you that you may wish to add, but remember please keep letters polite and courteous.
A simple statement would be: MAG is of the opinion that motorcycles can assist in delivering the shared priority of reducing congestion.
MAG’s definition of a highway is a route which all persons, rich or poor, can use to pass and re-pass as often and wherever they wish without let, hindrance or charge and endorses the European Parliament's RETT (Transport Committee) statement which:
"Supports the use of all forms of public transport and improved mobility or pedestrians, including those facing barriers to access to transport, notably disabled persons and older/elderly persons, motorcyclists and cyclists, through institutional investment, subsidies and legislation reflecting this preference; emphasises the vitally important role played by local passenger services in terms of mobility and sustainable transport in towns and cities and regions, and stresses the major responsibility of local authorities in this connection."
Even if you write to just one person, it would help.
Please forward any responses to Trevor Baird at MAG UK, PO BOX 750, Rugby, CV21 3ZR or email public-affairs@mag-uk.org
Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority
You can comment on the congestion charging proposals on the Greater Manchester Passenger Authority website at
www.gmfuturetransport.co.uk
The direct link is http://www.gmfuturetransport.co.uk/opinions.php
Or you can write to them at:
GM Future Transport
c/o GMPTE
2 Piccadilly Place
Manchester
M1 3BG
Local Councillors
Manchester is made up of 32 wards, or electoral areas. Each ward has three councillors.
Finding your Councillor
Councillors are elected to represent the citizens of their ward. They are your point of contact within that ward for any issues relating to the local community.
If you know your councillor's name you can select them from this list at
http://www.manchester.gov.uk/localdemocracy/councillors/name.htm, otherwise you can select them from a list of wards.http://www.manchester.gov.uk/localdemocracy/councillors/ward.htm
Manchester Members of Parliament
All Manchester MPs can be contacted at: the contacts are also listed in the following.
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Blackley Constituency -
Graham Stringer (Labour)
City Wards
Higher Blackley, Charlestown, Cheetham, Crumpsall, Harpurhey, and Moston
Contact
Martin Connolly for Graham Stringer MP
The Constituency Office
North Manchester Sixth Form College
Rochdale Road
Harpurhey
MANCHESTER
M9 4AF
ramsaya@parliament.uk
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Central Constituency
Tony Lloyd (Labour)
City Wards
Ancoats/Clayton, Ardwick, Bradford, City Centre, Hulme, Moss Side, Miles Platting/Newton Heath and Whalley Range
Contact
c/o Tony Lloyd MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
lloydt@parliament.uk
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Gorton Constituency
The Right Honourable Sir Gerald Kaufman (Labour)
City Wards
Fallowfield, Gorton North, Gorton South, Levenshulme, Longsight and
Rusholme
Contact
Nicola Cootes
c/o Sir Gerald Kaufman MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
cootesn@parliament.uk
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Withington Constituency
John Leech (Liberal Democrat)
City Wards
Burnage, Chorlton, Chorlton Park, Didsbury
East, Didsbury West, Old Moat and
Withington
Contact
Constituency Office
Staffed between 10 am - 4 pm
8 Gawsworth Avenue
Didsbury
M20 5NF
leechj@parliament.uk
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Wythenshawe and Sale East Constituency
Paul Goggins (Labour)
City Wards
Baguley, Brooklands, Northenden, Sharston, Woodhouse Park
Contact
Paul Goggins MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
gogginsp@parliament.uk
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Find out if these MPs are your local Member of Parliament
(MP) and how to contact him or her using the Government
online Constituency locator.
http://www.upmystreet.com/commons/l/
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Members of the European Parliament
You may also wish to contact these specific MEPs, this is not a full list of North West MEPs. Although not a specific European issue, proposed congestion charging for motorcycles could have an effect in the future for riders across Europe.
We have picked these MEPs as a cross section of the political parties or either as spokespersons or leaders of their party in Europe.
National Lobby
This section of the lobby is for all riders and those who are directly affected by the proposed congestion charging scheme.
Ruth Kelly who is MP for Bolton West, has been recently appointed as the Secretary of State for Transport in Gordon Brown's new cabinet.
One of Ms Kelly's responsibilities will be to meet the challenge of rolling out a congestion charge across Greater Manchester.
We have also included details of the Shadow Transport Ministers from the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.
To keep letters and emails personal, pick out relevant points from the included MAG response. You may have other issues that are personal to you that you may wish to add but remember please keep letters polite and courteous.
Contact
The Rt Hon Ruth Kelly MP, Secretary of State for Transport
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Office Address
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
kellyr@parliament.uk
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Constituency Address
Suite 4
Horwich Business Centre
86 Lee Lane
Horwich BL6 7A
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Ministerial Address
Department for Transport
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London
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Theresa Villiers MP Conservative
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
theresa@theresavilliers.co.uk
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Susan Kramer MP Liberal Democrats
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
kramers@parliament.uk
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Campaigns Website
We have set up our Campaigns website which contains the information in this document.
Also on the site is a petition to sign and a rider poll.
The Campaign website is Here
Manchester Congestion Charging Petition
“We the undersigned oppose any proposed charges for motorcycles regarding the Manchester Congestion charging scheme.
We urge the Greater Manchester Authorities to evaluate motorcycles as a viable, efficient and economic form of transport and exempt motorcycles from any charges.
We further ask that the Secretary of State for Transport - Ruth Kelly - to reiterate the principal aim of the Governments National Motorcycle Strategy.
"The principal aim of our strategy is to mainstream motorcycling, so that all the organisations involved in the development and implementation of transport policy recognise motorcycling as a legitimate and increasingly popular mode of transport. We want to see an end to old stigmas and stereotyping motorcycling can be a modern, practical way of getting around, and we all need to recognise it as such."
With the purpose that the Government exempt motorcycles, scooters and mopeds which are commonly referred to as Powered Two Wheelers (PTWs), in any charging schemes including Congestion Charges, Road Pricing, Road, Bridge and Tunnel Tolls.”
A paper version of this petition can be downloaded Here pdf
Rider Poll Manchester Congestion Charging
Should motorcycles be exempt from the congestion charges as outlined in the Manchester Congestion proposals?
Yes they should be exempt
No they should be charged
They should be charged a reduced rate
Other Transport Modes
The downside to the scheme is naturally enough, the increased cost to the motorist for those who have to use cars or vans to commute or to carry out their work.
Clearly this extra cost will represent an additional burden to those who must use cars or vans.
MAG has stated in the past that this can only be justified if the improvement to public transport and infrastructure significantly enhances the choices and level of services available to travellers.
While MAG’s position must focus on motorcycling, others are campaigning against the proposed “Manchester travel tax”.
The main opponents are "ManchesterTollTax.com." http://www.manchestertolltax.com and the
National Alliance Against Tolls http://www.naat.org.uk
You may wish to visit their website and se what they have to say.
Conclusion
We hope you will join us in lobbying on this important issue.
Whether you ride a Scooter, Tourer, Custom or Sportsbike, if it has two wheels this issue affects you!
Manchester could be the first city outside London and Durham to introduce congestion charging and levy a charge on motorcycles.
As other cities consider bidding for congestion charging schemes, Manchester is leading the way that others may follow.
Don’t let Manchester be the first to charge motorcycles for the congestion that they do not cause!
West Midlands 30th Brum - National MAG Demo
In association with “The Heart Of England Rally” join us in campaigning against the monumental threat of road pricing and all it stands for.
New schemes that will affect motorcycling such as EVSC, Number Plate Tagging, Driving Licences, Traffic measures, Congestion charges in most cities, the lack of secure parking, Stalling on bus lane usage, Multi occupancy car lanes.
These and more, are all proposed for the very near future.
Have Your Say!
Join the demo to Centenary Square in Birmingham and let your voice be heard.
Make Councils and Government see that motorcycling is a viable alternative.
Where
Meeting at "Old Hare & Hounds" Lickey Road, Rednal, Birmingham, B45 8UU
When
Saturday 7th July 2007
Meeting at 12 noon - Riding into Birmingham at 1pm
Brum Demo Here
See the MAG website for more details www.mag-uk.org
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