OVER the last few months I have read your readers’ views relating to the congestion charge with interest.

As I see it, should the congestion charge be accepted, then we become totally regulated, i.e. the cost of travelling into Manchester is out of our hands.

We are told that the charges will be limited to certain times of the day and within a specific zone around the centre.

This could change in the future, the zones could be extended and the charges increased, especially if the charge has little or no effect.

In addition, as we have seen in the past, this could be privatised and then we would be in real trouble as we have seen with the energy and water companies.

Once we agree there will be no going back.

We have also seen increases in train and bus fares which are higher than the rate of inflation and I am sure they will be reviewing what they can get away with charging if the congestion charge is introduced.

The roads will eventually revert to the rich where the charge to them is a pittance.

The investment into improving the transport infrastructure is, in my opinion, blackmail and these monies are ours anyway and should be invested whether the vote goes for or against.

Mike Valentine Kinross Drive Ladybridge