TRAFFORD Council is aiming to put the brakes on moves to introduce congestion charging in Greater Manchester, after it withdrew its support for the proposal.

Trafford and the region's two other non-Labour councils, Rochdale and Stockport, refused to back the move, amid claims that some councillors were being deliberately misled.

They are angry that they won't learn any details of the scheme - including how much it will charge, the technology involved and the areas affected - until late May, after the council elections.

And Trafford's leader, Cllr Susan Williams, reckons that does not allow enough time for a full consultation, as a decision is due to be made by the Greater Manchester councils in July.

She said: "We are very sceptical about congestion charging, and unless we can see there are clear demonstrable benefits and there is full consultation we will not go along with it.

"The proposals may not come out until late May or early June and AGMA (the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities) will make a decision in July.

"That would leave only a few weeks to consult, which is very concerning to us.

"At the moment there are no proposals, we are in limbo."

But the leader of Greater Manchester's Passenger Transport Authority, Cllr Roger Jones, hit back: "I would like to make it clear that councillors are not being misled in any way over the current investigations into how we significantly improve transport in Greater Manchester over the next decade, including potential congestion charging.

"Firstly, I must reassure everyone that no-one is being asked to support the introduction of an unspecified congestion charge. The only decision taken up to now has been to commission our officers to investigate the potential role that charging may play as part of a major local transport investment programme to support the future economic growth of Greater Manchester.

"This is a decision that was taken by the leaders of all 10 Greater Manchester councils. Officers' investigations are still underway and we will not be taking any further decisions until this work has been completed in late May. All 10 leaders were made aware of this position at a meeting last month."

Plans were unveiled in January for congestion charges on the 15 most congested roads in Greater Manchester, including Chester Road.

Transport bosses plan to bid for £1 billion of Government funds to finance the scheme and other transport improvements.