Bikes escape Manchester C-charge

Added on Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments

Bikes will not have to pay the proposed Manchester congestion charge.

Motorbikes have been recommended for a 100% reduction so they won't be paying.

Bikers in Manchester will be exempt from the cities proposed congestion charge scheme, officials have confirmed following growing pressure from motorcycle groups.

Motorcyclist groups had feared that bikers in commuting into Manchester would also be hit with the proposed congestion charge, planned to be introduced in 2013, when Manchester City Council spoke only of a “discounted rate” for two-wheeled vehicles when the scheme was officially launched.

But it appears that officials have backed down in their plans after admitting that motorcycles could make a significant contribution to solving congestion in the city.

A spokesman from the Manchester scheme told MCN: “Motorbikes have been recommended for a 100% reduction so they won’t be paying.”

The Manchester congestion charge scheme, which would see motorists being charged up to £5 per day to travel through two “charging rings” during peak times is due to go before a public consultation after being approved by ministers as part of a pledge to invest around £3bn in Greater Manchester’s public transport network.

Motorists travelling into the ‘outer ring’ of the zone towards Manchester, which would be anywhere within the boundary of the M60 ring-road, would be charged £2 between the hours of 7am and 9:30am, with those crossing the ‘inner ring’ surrounding the city centre being charged a further £1. Motorists travelling away from Manchester during the evening peak would pay £1 per ring travelled through.

The decision to make bikers exempt from the charge follows the example set by the London scheme, which has provided a 100% discount for motorcyclists since its inception in 2003 as well as alternative fuel vehicles such as hybrid cars.

Registered blue badge holders would also be exempt from the Manchester charge.

Sir Richard Leese, deputy leader of Manchester’s transport authority, added: “A wider use of motorbikes and scooters has the potential to reduce congestion, so we’re proposing that riders will receive a 100% discount”.

The news comes amid ever increasing sales of low-powered two wheeled vehicles as commuters look to combat increasing fuel and road tax costs.

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