Tax and Congestion

This week has seen two substantial decisions in transport planning matters.

In a referendum held in Manchester there was a resounding vote against congestion charging. This was despite the promise of substantial central government funding of around 1.5bn to improve the public transport system in and around Manchester. Those improvements would have been started before the charge was introduced in 2013 and with them would also have come valuable construction jobs. The vote was also contrary to the recommendations of local councils and has the result of leaving Manchester with no immediate solution to its congestion, poor air quality and poor public transport.

The congestion charge proposal was seen by voters merely as a further tax on motoring. It is the result of selfish and unthinking motorists valuing their 'freedom' to travel where and when they like at minimal cost. The unforeseen result of those 'No' votes will be gridlock and increased poor air quality, a missed opportunity for improvement.

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Here in East Sussex the County Council have backed the Hastings to Bexhill link road, a road scheme currently projected to cost 100 million in actual money and with a substantial cost to the environment. There has already been expenditure on getting to this stage, not least in the preparation of a 192 page document considered at last weeks meeting.

There has been no referendum here on a scheme which I have no doubt will come at a cost to the local taxpayer. There was limited public consultation but the question was not sent directly to each household, as it was in Manchester.

There is also no doubt in my mind that both Bexhill and Hastings need economic regeneration and that those living close to the A259 need relief. But, I have great doubts that a road which is projected to bring a reduction of 5 minutes to a journey time of 20 minutes, will achieve that. In addition, Rother District Council are relying on the link road to enable houses and industrial units to be built in North Bexhill. That will surely increase traffic volumes.

There is a suggestion that the new road will improve bus services and an acknowledgment that improvements to the rail service from Hastings to Ashford has resulted in greater patronage. There are no proposals to greatly improve public transport within Bexhill and Battle.

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In our current very worrying economic situation the prospect of more jobs, even those to be created in the building of the link road, is very appealing. We should however remember that the money to build it will not just be found hanging on a tree waiting to be gathered in nor will it all be provided by central government. The 100 million, or whatever the final amount is, will be taxpayers' money. There will also be an additional cost to the local taxpayer. I still wonder whether this is the wisest way to spend it.