Congestion Charge

Here's to safer cycling - Olly Glover

Name:   Olly Glover
Lives:    Didsbury
Works:  Manchester city centre
Travels by: bicycle
TIF vote: FOR

"I am strongly in favour of the congestion charge. 

"My main method of transport is the bicycle, so I welcome the proposals. I don't currently own a car, although I do hold a licence and very occasionally drive. I live in Didsbury, and cycle in to the city centre, where I work, which is about five miles each way, regardless of weather.

"This is a very cheap and fast way to get into the city (about 25 minutes each way). However, it could really be improved by having fewer cars on the roads. This is both from the point of view of making my journey more pleasant, but also faster, as cars during the rush hour are often moving more slowly than me, and increase my journey time when they needlessly block cycle lanes.

"I also travel to Birmingham and London a lot with work, so often get the bus to / from Stockport to catch a train. This bus route is useful off-peak, but suffers from car-related congestion during the peaks."

Sustainable

"The single most effective way of improving the attractiveness of sustainable transport in Greater Manchester, whether bicycle or bus, would be to reduce peak time car traffic. It is for this reason that I support the congestion charge.

Blocked: cycle lane

"Another benefit of the proposals is extension of the tram to Didsbury, which would offer a faster alternative to the bus, and would improve links between Didsbury and Trafford.

"It's important to remember that 28% of households do not own a car, and this figure is higher in Greater Manchester. Congestion is undoubtedly a problem at busy times of the day in the region, and needs to be tackled. I applaud the authorities for recognising that people will only be persuaded to use their cars less if other forms of transport are improved.

"Whilst I welcome the public transport improvements, I think that promotion of cycling needs to be far higher up the political agenda. If you ask people who don't cycle why not, nearly all of them will tell you that it's because of the volume of traffic on the roads.

"Nationwide, 50% of all car journeys are five miles are under, and the vast majority of people are able to cycle this distance. Promotion of cycling is the single most cost effective way of reducing congestion, and is far cheaper than new buses, trams and tracks."

Your comments

Brendan Casey in Audenshaw

Like Olly, I cycle to work in Salford Quays, from Audenshaw, each day, making it a 17 mile round trip. I usually leave home about 7am, so the traffic into the City Centre at that time isn't too bad. However, I have noticed that, when driving as Olly occasionally does, usually about 8am, traffic volume is far greater, and any cyclists I do see have far less room to manoeuvre than I would have had an hour earlier. It's the journey home that would benefit me if the Congestion Charge came into effect, as that's when the volume is at a constant, whether I leave at 4.15 or 5.15. I constantly hit heavy, standing traffic approaching the centre of Openshaw. This is generally caused by two lanes filtering into one, leaving a bus lane, so that doesn't help the drivers in that respect, but less cars on the road would help everyone all round. Whilst efforts have been made recently to add cycle lanes (albeit short, broken ones on Ashton Old Road), I would gladly like to see the very wide pavements reduced in width to accommodate a cycle lane, as, from experience, you don't see many people walking these days, do you? As your picture of the blocked cycle lane shows, it's the abuse of our hard-fought, negligent facilities that causes as much head shaking as anything else.

Daniel Cadden in Manchester

I don't have a car. I did before I moved to Manchester but after a while I found I was only using it occasionally just for longer trips. For everything else it is quicker and more convenient to cycle, even using a trailer for the weekly grocery shop. I use trains when I need to for travelling further afield and quite often take my bicycle on the train so that I can get to and from the train station at each end of my journey. My partner doesn't drive and she used to be complete dependant on public transport. She now has a bike that she finds comfortable to ride for some distance and she is amazed at the freedom it has given her.

I would like to see the congestion charge introduced as to take more cars off the road and make people think twice about how they travel. For too many people the car is the default choice for travelling from A to B. With less private traffic, walking, cycling and public transport become safer, more efficient and more attractive. There are good reasons to use a car for some journeys, and for those essential journeys the roads will be clearer and fewer harmful gases and particulates will be emitted from vehicles held up in traffic. I am hopeful that the congestion charge will create a positive modal shift leading to a healthier and happier Manchester.

I would just like to see investment raised from the TIF used to help ensure that this  will happen safely and responsibly. For example, by providing more cycle training, safer cycle parking and more measures to prevent cycle theft. Furthermore, money needs to be invested in better policing so that people who leave the car at home feel safe in doing so. Especially early in the morning and late in the day when using many rights of way can become a solitary experience and making people feel vulnerable. I believe the Congestion Charge heralds a fantastic new era for Manchester which will bring with it prosperity and growth.