A member survey carried out by the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce shows 63% of respondents are against congestion charging.

The chamber surveyed 826 of its 5,400 business members on the proposals being put forward for the Transport Innovation Fund.

When asked about the package, 72% of respondents said they did not view the proposed congestion charge as “an acceptable trade off” for the investment in public transport and predicted reduction in levels of congestion.

Businesses don't have a vote in the referendum, but YOU do. 

The Office of the Returning Officer for the Greater Manchester Transport Referendum is releasing rolling information concerning the turnouts in each borough.  Note - no information is known how people have voted, only the number of ballots issued and returned at a certain date.  As of 2nd December, the following ballots have been sent back:

BOLTON 

Number received: 42,534

Electorate: 199,819

Percentage: 21.3%

BURY

Number received: 38, 394

Electorate: 140,441

Percentage: 27.3%

MANCHESTER

Number received: 45,900

Electorate: 340,730

Percentage: 13.5%

OLDHAM

Number received: 44,422

Electorate: 159,328

Percentage: 27.9%

ROCHDALE

Number received: 36, 382

Electorate: 155,830

Percentage: 23.3%

SALFORD

Number received: 42,534

Electorate: 199,819

Percentage: 21.3% 

STOCKPORT

Number received: 57,636

Electorate: 216,973

Percentage: 26.6%

TAMESIDE

Number received: 46,355

Electorate: 164,062

Percentage: 28.3%

TRAFFORD

Number received: 32,843

Electorate: 163,677

Percentage: 20.1%

WIGAN

Number received: 42,305

Electorate: 235,043

Percentage: 18.0%

Meanwhile, in Tameside, it appears political opposition to the scheme is growing! 

WELL DONE to Dukinfield Labour Councillor, John Taylor, who has come out against TIF publicly on his website.  This comes on top of Denton and Audenshaw's Labour Councillors also stating their opposition at a recent District Assembly meeting, as reported by the Tameside Advertiser.

'Don't go into the water' that famous phrase from the hit 1970s film Jaws.  Yesterday, I came face-to-face with Sharky, the Congestion Charge Shark - and mascot of the No campaign.  He was around to promote the TIF Referendum currently taking place and to encourage as many people as possible to return No Votes before the deadline on 11th December.

If you haven't yet voted please do so - and beware of the Congestion Charge Shark - given the chance, he'll take a big bite out of your income!

Pictured above, Stockport Labour Councillor Sheila Bailey and Andrew Gwynne MP with 'Sharky'