Cambridge should have congestion charge referendum
Date: 26 September 2007
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There ought to be a local referendum before any congestion charge scheme - which would affect courier firms - is introduced in Cambridge.
That's according to business leaders including John Bridge of Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce, who told RoadTransport.com that companies are concerned the government is attempting to install such a system by stealth.
A daily charge would have a dramatic impact on those companies who use the local roads, such as courier companies and other frieght haulage firms.
An open consultation should take place, Mr Bridge said, together with economic impact assessments that would determine just how much local businesses would lose out.
It appears that the government will only give Cambridgeshire County Council £500 million for funding transport improvements if it introduces congestion charging.
"My own view is most people don't believe there's a strong business case, or economic impact assessment, which will stand up to scrutiny of what they are doing," said Mr Bridge.
"We should get involved in a local referendum. The government is introducing policies by the back door that they can't do themselves, or don't wish to do for political reasons."
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