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To coincide with the Motor Show,from Thursday to Sunday MART did some more petitioning at the Trafford Centre. |
Some pictures of the lobby at Dukinfield. As widely reported the boss of Manchester arrived by bus, but can be seen in one picture leaving with his colleagues in a hired mini bus. |
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page1 page2 (pdf files click on + near top to zoom in). |
Today MART went to the Trafford Centre collecting signatures for the petition. If this had been a referendum, there is no doubt what the result would be. |
MART press release - "Two funeral hearses symbolically representing the death of Manchester business and freedom travelled along Deansgate this morning as part of the campaign against proposed congestion tolling within the M60 boundary. The hearses were part of a cavalcade of vehicles organised by MART (Manchester Against Road Tolls) to mobilise public opposition to the road toll. The plans are to be voted on by the Greater Manchester council leaders at the end of the month (Friday 27th July). |
MART spokesman, Sean Corker, said - "This so called "congestion charging" is really a toll tax which will turn business and cash away from the city. It will also damage individual freedom as collection and enforcement of the charges will rely on cameras." "Driving a car is often an essential part of our lives, yet the aim of these charges is to force the poorest off the road. There has been a massive campaign at taxpayers expense to try and sell this regressive tax. MART exists to give a voice to ordinary people and to counter the misleading propaganda.". |
Today the opposition against the plans for road charges in Greater Manchester kicked into a higher gear. Part of this was a press conference organised by Sean and Neil, to launch a new epetition against the tolls. The event got great coverage on TV and radio and was the number one item on regional news. Let us see what coverage it gets in the M.E.N! There were various speakers including Peter Roberts (who started the 1.8 million petition against road pricing) he said - "Now is the time for the people of Manchester to start the fight back against these toll plans which will destroy jobs and put the city at a major economic disadvantage. Transport planners have hatched a scheme to isolate Manchester with a version of the Berlin Wall, an electronic barrier called the M60 motorway — an astonishing own goal for a great city.Politicians are denying the people of Manchester a voice on this crucial issue and Manchester Against Road Tolls (MART) is determined to give them their say." Report on Channel Four - "Congestion charge petition online". Granada News report. |
At the same time as the epetition was being launched, members of MART were in Market Street encouraging people to sign a paper version of the petition and distributing leaflets. Here are some of the MART mob! (Paul, Mike, John, Steve, Rob, Simon are the "mob". The other picture is of Ian, who volunteered to help.) MART members also went along to demonstrate at the Yellow bus location. Though this turned out to be pointless as there were only children there being given balloons. When the report goes to the councils to show how overwhelming the support is for the new taxes, will the councillors also be told that those consulted say that lemom and lime is their favourite flavour lollipop? |
This was the sight most of the time. See how busy the consultation of public opinion is. |
Wow! Where did all these people come from! |
ACTION! Did you spot Ricky Gervais? |