Press Watch: Manchester public support road charge

A total of 40 per cent say [no', seven per cent are undecided.

Crucially, more people support the proposal than oppose it in EVERY ONE of Greater Manchester's 10 boroughs. Council chiefs have agreed the charge will only be brought if it wins support in at least seven in a December referendum.

In return the government will hand over £1.5bn to revolutionise trams, trains and buses - and allow the area to borrow £1.2bn more against three decades of profits from the charge.

The Mori poll is part of a massive £3m consultation exercise.

It shows backing for the deal is strongest in Wigan, with 58 per cent in favour and 36 per cent against. There are also clear majorities in favour in Manchester (56-38), Rochdale (57-39), Trafford (55-38) and Stockport (52-41).

Support is weakest in Tory-run Bury, where 49 per cent say [yes' compared to 46 per cent saying [no'. The majorities are also slimmer in Salford (50-44), Tameside (51-44), Oldham (51-41) and Bolton (51-40).

The figures will put pressure on the Tory leadership in Trafford and Stockport's Lib Dem chiefs. Both have declared strong opposition to the deal, claiming they are reflecting local attitudes. Conservative-led Bury council also wants a [no' vote.

The question was almost exactly the same as it is expected to appear in the referendum.

It says the charge would not be introduced before summer 2013, when [at least 80 per cent of the proposed new public transport' is up and running.

The findings broadly reflect polls carried out by the M.E.N. and GfK NOP this summer.

Both found majority support in favour but experts thought opposition would grow once the [no' campaign started.

They pointed out that in the last congestion charge referendum, in Edinburgh in 2005, 74 per cent voted against.

Supporters of the Manchester deal say the difference is the massive amount of cash that would go into public transport.

Opponents will take heart from the fact that support was [softer' than opposition.

Only 21 per cent said they would [definitely' accept it with 32 per cent saying [probably'. That compares to 27 per cent saying they would [definitely' reject the deal and 14 per cent saying [probably'.