Capital case cited in Manchester protesters' C-charge battle

CAMPAIGNERS in Manchester claim they are being subjected to the same "spin" campaign as Edinburgh was when the city council pursued road tolls plans.

A poll of 1000 people in the Manchester area found 86 per cent of respondents wanted a referendum on proposals to charge drivers entering the city.

A similar plan for Edinburgh was ditched after a referendum in 2005. Manchester Against Road Tolls spokesman John McGold-rick said: "Despite what is suggested by advocates of this congestion charge scheme, the proposed tolls in Edinburgh were also presented as a package with transport spending. The people were subject to a massive spin campaign from the city council, and the ballot paper came with a glossy leaflet showing all the goodies the city would get if they said yes.

"Will the people in the Manchester city region be given a similar chance to vote on this?"