TRAFFORD Council has expressed its disappointment with a decision that could bring congestion charging to Greater Manchester.

The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) have decided to say yes' to bidding for funds from the government's Transport Innovation Fund (TIF), despite the vote not being unanimous.

Trafford and Stockport Councils voted against the bid while the other eight greater Manchester authorities voted in favour.

Speaking after the AGMA meeting this morning Council Leader Cllr Susan Williams said: "We are extremely disappointed that AGMA forced through a decision on a majority vote rather than a unanimous one."

Trafford Council listened to nearly 500 people through neighbourhood forums and its website, and 66 per cent were against the proposals.

Cllr Williams added: "AGMA has failed at the first hurdle by not taking the views of Trafford people into account. Trafford's residents, who may also be part of Trafford's business community, will be the hardest hit by these proposals."

The council have stated that there are a significant number of people in Trafford who would pay congestion charging costs but who would not necessarily benefit from public transport improvement, such as the business community within Trafford Park.

Trafford Labour group leader Cllr David Acton said: ''We are not convinced that congestion charges are necessarily the best way forward to tackle congestion in our Town Centres.

"However in light of a great deal of cross party support across Greater Manchester, at this stage of the process, we support the bid to go forward for the Transport Innovation Funding, which would enable £3 billion worth of investment to be put into our public transport systems."

Councillor Roger Jones, chairman of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, said: "Our bid makes it clear that any charging scheme would not be introduced on roads until those affected have a reliable, integrated public transport system available to provide people with a real alternative to using their cars.

"We have received a large volume of valuable feedback from the local business community and Greater Manchester residents, which we will now use to help shape the detailed nature of our full strategy." What do you think? Post your comments below..