Congestion Commercial Canned

Manchester says no to C-Charge promo

By Chris Rosamond / Wednesday, 26 November 2008 / Loading comments

A public information film backing congestion charging for Manchester and funded by the Department of Transport has been pulled by ITV following complaints of bias.Granada pulled the ad from its planned slot in Saturday’s broadcast of the X Factor, following complaints to the broadcasting watchdog Ofcom that have apparently questioned the film’s impartiality.

The news broke yesterday as ballot papers were being sent to 1.9 million Greater Manchester residents, asking for their vote on controversial proposals that the Association of British Drivers says will cost drivers up to £1200 a year for the privilege of driving to work.

'Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive are desperate to get the scheme through because the government has tied road pricing to badly needed investment in public transport,' says the ABD’s Nigel Humphries. 'They are spending millions on a campaign of disinformation to persuade people their city will grind to a halt without this package… Manchester is seen as a soft target to get a scheme through so it can be imposed more easily in cities such as Leeds and Bristol.'

Manchester’s referendum has already sparked much controversy, with Gordon Brown being sucked into the argument over whether the referendum question itself was misleading. Voters will be asked: 'Do you agree with the Transport Innovation Fund Proposals?' while an accompanying leaflet spells out all the GMTE transport plans, including the proposals for road charging. Brown declared the phrasing had been ‘legally approved’ at PM’s questions last month, in response to allegations that it was partial and biased.

Bus operator Stagecoach has also come under fire in the C-Charge controversy for refusing to accept adverts from Stockport Council, opposed to the Greater Manchester scheme.