News

Congestion charging 'not part of transport bid'

By Alice Murphy
February 05, 2010

A multi-million pound funding bid to tackle traffic jams will not mean congestion charging for drivers.

Wokingham and Reading borough councils have joined forces to apply for money from the Government’s Transport Innovation Fund (TIF), which would include £5 million for Wokingham’s station link road.

Councillor Keith Baker, highways and transport boss, emphasised that despite Wokingham joining other councils to secure the funding, the possibility of charging motorists would not even be entertained by TIF partners until at least 2016.

Reading by comparison, has refused to rule out a congestion charge.

Cllr Baker said: “Conservative councillors and the Conservative party are totally opposed to the concept of congestion charging.

“It is Conservative Party policy to decouple congestion charging from any TIF bid in place.

“If – and it is a big if – congestion charging is to be considered by TIF partners after 2016 then we are committed to carry out a comprehensive consultation with our residents.”

The TIF money will be used to tackle congestion, increase and improve public transport.

Reading, West Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Bracknell and Wokingham councils have joined together to apply for the money, as they are all classed under Reading’s ‘travel to work’ area.

The joint bid is to win £380 million of improvements for public transport, walking and cycling.

The proposal has been split into three phases, the first being £52 million to make central Reading a low emission zone.

Wokingham has joined at the highest participation level so has access to capital funding, a share in any generated revenues and full voting rights on the steering group.

Cllr Baker said: “We need to acknowledge the TIF bid is going to go forward with or without us.

“What [not supporting the bid] means is we would have zero influence on any proposals which would have and effect on our residents.

“For the sake of our residents we have to be at that table.”

He identified the possible third Thames Bridge as one project for which extra money could be sought.

“TIF funds are the only clear mechanism of raising large scale capital over the next few years,” he said.

The motion put forward at last week’s council meeting got cross-party support, with the Lib Dems also throwing their support behind the scheme.

Cllr Baker said: “Congestion is a problem that must be addressed collaboratively if the area is to remain an attractive place to live, work and invest.

“I am pleased that funding will be available for additional subsidy on bus routes to make that shift from cars to buses more palatable.”

Cllr Prue Bray said: “The TIF does come with strings attached and we need to keep an eye out to make sure they do not turn into ropes and that Wokingham gets its fair share of benefits.”

Cllr Pauline Jorgensen warned Reading had a “track record” of “madcap” schemes and said a congestion charge in Reading could mean increased use of Shinfield, Earley and Sonning as rat runs.

The next step is to await the partnership agreement being prepared by the Department for Transport.

| Submit Comments | View Comments (3)

« Previous Story | Next Story »

Most recent user comments 3 of 3

Show 15 | 25 | 50 per page

Stupid new Winnersh Triangle Lights – WBC Junction 11 changes – WBC A329M bus lane / de-regulation – WBC Lower Earley Way / Shinfield Rd stupid junction – WBC Winnersh Crossroad’s stupid layout – WBC Who was originally against a third bridge –WBC

Anyone notice a trend, RBC may have some stupid road policies but they are not the only ones!

OLDMAN!, Reading
03/03/2010 at 08:38

You guys need to wake up and smell the coffee......congestion charging is where the "madcap" schemes that Reading have been introducing for years has always been leading to!!! The principle is simple...cause enough congestion and then you will be able to tax it. Did you know that this 3rd Reading bridge is to be allocated to the use of public transport ,bicycles and pedestrians only? If you really think that con charging is a far off and remote possibility , think again, RBC have worked towards this end for many years now and this will be the outcome of the TIF money , if nothing is done to stop it....mark my words.

Howard Thomas CommonSense Party

Howard Thomas Common Sense party
02/03/2010 at 00:15

Cllr Baker ought to read the bid document and he will see that con charge will follow in 2016 as sure as night follows day! This was always the aim of RBC and explains many of their crazy schemes over the last number of years......create the traffic and then you can tax it!