Friday, August 15, 2008

Congestion conversation

I chaired a debate on Manchester controversial transport plans today at the Lowry Hotel, in a special event organised by pro.Manchester. I have to say Chris Oglesby from United City and Andrew Simpson from the GMMG both delivered barnstorming presentations.

Here's the nub: Oglesby says public transport in Manchester is "crap". Yet this bid is designed to get more people to use that "crap" service. To most people what's on offer is more crap and being charged to use your car. Simpson's slide showing what TIF really amounts to - four diddy extra bits of Metrolink - was met with gasps.

If I was a betting man I'd say the consensus in the room was with the no camp. TIF is dead.

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