Congestion charge claims were ‘tongue in cheek’

Councillor Robert Chapman:

The councillor is adamant plans for congestion charges were never decided

A BOURNEMOUTH councillor has refuted the reported proposals of the congestion charge in Bournemouth.

Last week it was reported that 84% of Bournemouth Echo readers polled were against the introduction of a congestion charge for Bournemouth. This introduction was reported as ‘inevitable’ and could arrive as early as in five years’ time in the words of Alex Carter who is the managing director of Poole-based Go South Coast.

Bournemouth councillor Robert Chapman said:

“They are definitely not going to introduce it. Alex Carter is also the chief executive of the Wilts and Dorset bus company. He obviously wanted the streets to be clearer so there would be more road space for his buses so it was a tongue in cheek comment.

"The congestion charge would be a good idea if it weren’t for the fact most visitors to Bournemouth come by car and if we did introduce it would be death to the tourism trade.

"The congestion charge is only appropriate in central London because it was very congested and there is no reason why people should drive as there is a very good underground system.

"The only other big cities in the UK who would consider a congestion charge is Birmingham and Manchester and any towns smaller than Birmingham and Manchester wouldn’t ever consider it.

"Roads do get congested here so better designs need to be made of the congestion spots by improving the highway system, and giving more priority to buses and at the same time allowing access for cars.”