Government Should Improve Public Transport before Imposing Tolls

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 3rd Oct 2006

John Leech MP wants better trains between Manchester and Yorkshire before tolling the M62

Responding to reports that the Government is proposing to implement a toll for vehicles using the M62 Motorway over the Pennines between Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire, Lib Dem MP for Manchester Withington and Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson, John Leech, has called on Government to improve public transport first.

John Leech MP said:

"While all possible solutions to the ever-growing congestion on our road network must be investigated, there needs to be serious improvements in public transport before road tolls can be considered."

"The rail service between Manchester and West Yorkshire is currently very overcrowded at peak times."

"The Government should be making serious investment to increase capacity on the rail network and improve Trans-Pennine rail services."

"If this does not happen a toll on the M62 would only increase overcrowding on an already overstretched rail service."

"If the Government was really serious about tackling road congestion and the environmental damage it causes, they would make bringing public transport up to scratch the top priority, instead of looking to tolls as a quick fix, which on their own are not a solution."

ENDS