MOTORISTS in Warrington should not have their views ignored on proposals to introduce congestion charging in Manchester.

David Mowat, Warrington South Conservative MP hopeful, has launched a petition to let residents living in the town who oppose plans to charge motorists entering Manchester city centre to have their voices heard.

If the charge is approved, drivers would have to pay £5 a day to travel into the city centre at the busiest times, which equates to around £1,200 a year.

He said: “Indeed at a recent public meeting the project team was unable to even estimate how many Warrington drivers would be impacted upon. My estimate is 15,000 every day.”

The charges would mean an upgrade to the public transport network in the city. But Mr Mowat says that there would be no significant upgrade for Warrington.

Mr Mowat said: “I believe that the proposal, in its current form, is unacceptable and for Warringtonians effectively it means taxation without representation. There is a postal referendum for Greater Manchester residents which closes on December 11th and we are campaigning for a No Vote.”

He is now urging people to contact friends and family living in Greater Manchester to vote no or sign the petition at www.davidmowat.org