Congestion charge debate encouraged

Environmentalists who support the introduction of the congestion charge in Cambridge have the opportunity to voice their opinions through a public consultation scheme, it has emerged.

Some 23 road shows are scheduled to take place in locations ranging from Cambridge Science Park to Newmarket as part of an effort for people to express their views on how congestion charging could work, the Cambridge Evening News (CEN) reports.

Cambridge county council will reportedly receive £500 million from the government in support of transport schemes if congestion charging is introduced.

Public support for the introduction of the congestion charge increases to 60 per cent upon the promise of funding to improve public transport, according to an Ipsos MORI survey quoted by the Manchester Evening News this week.

Council cabinet minister for environment and community services Roy Pegram told CEN that Cambridgeshire would benefit from a modern, high-quality transport system.

“If we do nothing, traffic will grind to a halt and air quality will continue to deteriorate,” he said.