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Bikes to Face Congestion Charge
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG UK) says that proposals contained in Manchester’s congestion charging scheme to charge motorcycles are the thin end of the wedge as cities in the UK wait in line to implement future national road pricing plans.
MAG is amazed that the authorities in Manchester have even considered charging motorcycles, when the London congestion charging scheme has proved successful and beneficial to congestion busting motorcycles.
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.
Motorcycles offer a solution to the problem of congestion. Congestion charging schemes currently exist in Central London and Durham. In both schemes motorcycles are exempt from the charge because it has been recognised that this form of transport reduces congestion.
MAG believes that motorcycles fulfil a significant role as part of an integrated transport policy by not only relieving traffic congestion but also pollution, whilst enhancing commercial efficiency by cutting the length of journey times to work.
MAG’s Public Affairs Director Trevor Baird, said, “We have a change of Transport Ministers in Gordon Brown's new cabinet. Stephen Ladyman is replaced by Rosie Winterton, Ruth Kelly has been appointed as the Secretary of State for Transport with the responsibility of rolling out the congestion charge across Greater Manchester, and perhaps she will give Manchester direction in exempting motorcycles in their proposed scheme.”
MAG calls on the authorities in Manchester to recognise the positive contribution that motorcycles make to congestion problems by excluding motorcycles from the Congestion Charging proposals and recognise motorcycling as a legitimate and increasingly popular mode of transport.
Lobby
If Manchester introduces charges for motorcycles, in what is being seen as a National "pilot" scheme then we will possibly have a "fight" with each city on exemption.
We need Manchester to follow the lead of London and the Historic City of Durham.
You can also sign the on line petition and take part in the poll on congestion on the campaigns website.
The petition is available for printing.
Whether you ride a Scooter, Tourer, Custom or Sportsbike, if it has two wheels this issue affects you!
Don’t let Manchester be the first to charge motorcycles for the congestion that they do not cause!
REPS – ACTIVISTS - RIDERS
MAG’s Campaign website against Congestion Charging for motorcycles at http://tinyurl.com/2ezvav
The website includes a full lobby document with contact details for the Manchester Authority, Transport and Shadow Transport Ministers.
For Local MAG Groups in the Northwest details are also included of MP’s, MEP’s and Councillors.
You may want to print out the petition and place these in local motorcycle dealers etc http://tinyurl.com/24x3q7
MAG response to Manchester Authorities http://tinyurl.com/2gtur2 161kb
Lobby Document as a word document http://tinyurl.com/ysymly
Trevor Baird Public Affairs Director
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