Middleton streets could become a giant car park!

Date published: 07/02/2008

Middleton residents and rate payers face their town and local streets being used as all day car parks by commuters wishing to avoid paying the congestion charges.

The Rochdale dominated Lib Dem council, which includes Councillor Cooper from Middleton, voted to continue with their desire to impose a congestion charge on Middleton residents.

A Middleton Labour party spokesman said: "Rochdale, which is already getting the Metrolink to their railway station, without the TIF Bid and congestion charges, have decided that they need to grab what they can for themselves no matter who pays.

"There was little evidence of democracy last night at the council meeting, the Lib Dems had already issued a press release saying that they would vote for the congestion charge. That press statement was written and released before they had heard the debate, and before they had listened to the Chairman of the Passenger Transport Authority.

"So what is in it for Middleton? Nothing, apart from paying the charges and seeing the streets turned into a giant car park.

"And this is only the start of congestion charges, the extension of the plan will see it imposed on Middleton and all ten authorities in Greater Manchester.

"It will do little to improve the environment and will simply push congestion onto our streets."