Greater Manchester residents receive c-charge ballot forms

Households across Greater Manchester have received ballot forms for the referendum on the controversial congestion charge scheme today.

The introduction of congestion charging is a part of Greater Manchester's potential £3bn investment under the Transport Innovation Fund. This will support expansion of the tram network, revitalisation of the bus network and extra carriages on peak time trains which will run through refurbished stations.

People registered on the electoral register, living in the ten council areas in the Greater Manchester region, are eligible to vote.

Residents are being asked whether they vote for or against the TIF proposals.

Within each of the packs, it contains a ballot paper, a declaration – which must be signed by the voter – and a leaflet giving information about the TIF proposals.

Congestion charges of up to £5 can be charged to motorists driving in and out of Manchester city centre during peak times.

All of the 1.9m completed ballot forms need to be returned to the Returning Officer, Sir Neil McIntosh, by 10pm on 11 December for votes to be counted.

On the following day – Friday 12 December – the final results will be announced at Manchester Central in the city centre.