Congestion Charge in Manchester

I've read with interest today the 'proposals' for the congestion charge in Manchester! So i've been ruing over the costs and benefits of such a proposal - what might happen? You may find it over-dramatic but never mind ......... read on............!

The charge will affect us directly and indirectly and like all smaller businesses we seriously need to consider many options!

Well in a few years time I'll be paying to come work, so I'll probably have to reshuffle my entire working day like many people! Flexible working hours or even working from home are likely options to keep costs down! I might simply introduce 'core' hours where i'm in the office and then hold my meetings away from the zone at peak traffic times!

But those people with Company Cars?

Well they'll be doing less mileage I am sure. There will probably be more car pooling or car-sharing to be introduced - a positive step we think. Will it means less business for us? No, not overnight, vehicle costs have spiralled in recent years yet still the most desirable perk for any employee is the Company Car. Don't forget the huge amount of vans on the road, they have a job to do and so we will always be busy on that front!

What about businesses who run vans?

They may no longer want the City Centre business for maintenance contracts or at the least hike their rates up. Imagine trying to cover a call-out charge to include a days parking + a congestion charge!

Lots of business is on the move at the moment, could we see a shift back out of the city to the surrounding towns and businesss complexes such as Kingsway at Rochdale?

Possibly so, if office space continues to rocket in price the addition of another cost, couple with a reduced ability to gain services such as telecoms, air conditioning engineers may well result in a shift away from town!

They key thing is that it isn;t just a city centre charge, the M60 is being used as the marking point, therefore affecting 100,000's of people, businesses and car users.

I am currently happy to get on the bus to a City Centre appointment and welcome the improvements in public transport but can the improvements be so vast and traffic be reduced so much without a huge impact on the business community?