Denton MP, Andrew Gwynne, has successfully pressured the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority to widen their congestion charge consultation to include his constituents.

Yesterday in the House of Commons Andrew Gwynne MP called on Ruth Kelly, the Secretary of State for Transport, to ensure that the GMPTA and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities change their congestion charge consultation process to allow his constituents to get a full say in the proposals.

Four roadshows were originally scheduled to take place in Tameside to explain the benefits of the £3 billion injection into public transport, and the plans for the congestion charge, none of which were due to take place in Denton. Denton is the second largest town in Tameside, and as it straddles the M60 Motorway, will be directly affected if the current congestion charge proposals get approval.

After raising his concerns in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Tameside Council held emergency late night talks with GMPTA and have now secured a fifth Tameside roadshow to be held in Denton. The date is yet to be confirmed.

Andrew Gwynne MP said:

“As the proposals stand the M60 Motorway, which cuts right through the centre of Denton, will form the outer charging zone for the congestion charge. This poses some real challenges to the people of Denton for the long term and it is only right that my constituents have their voices heard.”

“All I ever wanted was for my constituents to get the opportunity to voice their concerns to the people proposing the scheme, and hopefully get some answers.”