Clean Air Now campaign needs your support
CAN is coordinated by volunteers and has 28 supporter organisations, who have signed up to their manifesto. The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) is considering a package of public transport investment, the Transport Innovation Fund (TIF), which we would like to see go ahead.
CAN believes that TIF money will improve quality of life in Greater Manchester, not only by increasing the transport choices available, but also by helping to reduce the growth of road traffic and therefore air pollution, road accidents and climate changing emissions. The introduction of a limited congestion charge is a central element of the bid and is a price worth paying.
For example one child in five in Greater Manchester has asthma, that's double the national average. We urgently need to improve air quality.
So what can you do?
Read through and sign up to the coalition: too often, people who agree with proposals, such as the Transport Innovation Fund bid, assume that it is going to go ahead and don't feel a need to express their opinion. The result is that only 'anti' voices are heard. Going forward with a congestion charge and public transport improvements is a bold step and decision makers need to know that they have public support.
Write to your MP or Councillor: this is a great way to let our representatives know that we want them to go forward with plans for the transport revolution and congestion charging and is especially important in the run up to the local elections, which take place on 1st May. There is a template letter on the CAN website.
Discuss the issues with your MP or Councillor
If you have time to meet with your MP or councillor, or to go to a public meeting at which they are speaking, it is important to ask them about their views. There are some ideas for questions on the CAN website.
And lastly: Spread the word!
Don't be afraid to show your support for these controversial plans. If we don't talk about it people begin to assume that everyone is against. If it comes up in conversation, be honest about your support and challenge though who disagree.
More information on all of the above can be found on the CAN website or email CAN using the contact form below for more information or if you have any questions.
congestion charging
On Radio Five Live they were talking about congestion charging because some councils are going to charge people who use their cars for work a transport expert said that is some countries with good public transport they still have traffic congestion in their cities yes we need to have less cars on the roads but what if people buy more cars should there be a limited to the amount of cars people can own should we not close down factories that make cars there is a over supply of cars in this world
thank you
James Meehan