You've got to blaim the stupid local politicians for not simply imposing the charge.

It's because of stupid politicians, both local and central, that we are in this pickle in the first place. If Beeching had not closed half our railways and Thatcher had not deregulated the buses we may just have been better placed to improve public transport now. If Manchester and Salford Councils had not sold their assets to fund short term quick fixes then they may have had the funds to provide sensible alternatives.

Saying that those same politicians should impose the same crap policies on us will only lead to even bigger cock ups. If a plumber came to your house and left it in a worse state that it started would you say he should force you to let him do something else? I think not. Taxation has never worked as a regulatory device. The money from taxation has never been spent where it ought to be. The congestion charge would be no different.

Fix the existing public transport problems first. Then we can see about limiting private vehicle usage.

Cheers

DeG