Today Conservative Group Leaders from across Cambridgeshire have written to the Chair and Vice Chair of the Greater Cambridge Partnership calling for them to publicly declare that the Liberal Democrat and Labour run Greater Cambridge Partnership Board will drop all notions of congestion charging without delay, and that the Board agrees not to contemplate such charging while there are no real reliable and affordable local transport alternatives in place, because to do so could cost hard working residents £3,600 a year via what has been dubbed as a stealth tax on Cambridgeshire residents.
The letter follows a motion at South Cambridgeshire District Council on 22nd February proposed by Cllr Heather Williams (Conservative) opposing the introduction of Congestion Charging where the Liberal Democrat majority group voted it down. A second motion yesterday (15th March) at Cambridgeshire County Council proposed by Cllr Alan Sharp (Conservative) also opposing the introduction of Congestion Charging at this time was also voted down by the Liberal Democrat / Labour / Independent coalition.
The Liberal Democrat and Labour Councillors in Cambridgeshire refuse to take congestion charging off the table and are determined to continue with proposals to introduce yet another cost that will burden hard working residents that live beyond the city of Cambridge even further.
Conservatives across Cambridgeshire will continue to fight against this stealth tax and stand up for hard working residents that do not deserve to be financially punished in this way.
Cllr Heather Williams, Major Opposition Group Leader and Leader of the Conservative Group said:
“We believe that to introduce congestion charging now would be a huge mistake. We need good quality and affordable public transport before any charges are introduced; people must have a choice! We are extremely concerned that those already financially struggling will suffer the most, given that many who already cannot afford to live in the city and are forced to commute, would be subjected to this punitive tax.
To even contemplate this at a time where day to day costs are getting higher and higher is shocking. This at a time where the Lib Dems are putting Council Tax and council house rents up the maximum they legally can at South Cambs District Council and hiking up council tax at Cambridgeshire County Council. How much more will the Lib Dems be costing us next?”.
Contact Information:
Heather Williams
Major Opposition Group Leader and Leader of the Conservative Group
M: 07885 774775
