The most appalling aspect of the proposed congestion charge is the Government’s statement that the infrastructure improvement funding will only be made available if we vote for the charge. Is this not bribery?

Would our MPs also support new hospital facilities if we were told we would have to pay charges to use them?

It is the Government’s duty to spend tax revenues for the benefit of the whole country and Greater Manchester is entitled to its share.

It is certainly true that local public transport can and should be improved, with an emphasis on greater integration. If this was done and bus and rail travel was easier and faster, the convenience would persuade many car users to change their mode of transport.

However, many businesses have been in their present locations for years and it is wholly unfair to start selectively taxing those who happen to work outside the city centre or whose journey to work will still entails several stages by bus or train. The proposed charges may sound quite low but, if paid daily, these would be a severe financial burden on most. The supporters may justifiably claim there are exemptions for many but I find it totally unfair that the charge will essentially then be levied only on those who happen to work in the industry and commerce that we need to keep our economy going. This Government was never any good at reaching fair and sensible decisions!

J I MacNab, Braybrook Drive, Bolton