CONGESTION charges are unlikely to hit Bolton motorists in the near future, claims a senior transport boss.

With the introduction of charges in London, other towns and cities are starting to examine the possibility of similar schemes in their areas.

But, according to Bolton councillor Guy Harkin, deputy chairman of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, a "gold star transport system" would need to be in place before any such scheme could be contemplated locally.

In the wake of the £5 a day charge being introduced in London the authority is setting up a Congestion Commission.

It will spend the next 18 months looking at the growing problem of traffic jams in Greater Manchester and one possible solution being examined is the possibility of charging drivers who enter the area bounded by the M60 ring road.

But, if charges are brought in at all, it will not be for at least two years.

Deputy Chairman of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority Guy Harkin said the region would need a much improved transport system funded by the government before charges could even be suggested.

He said: "Central government has put a lot of pressure on local authorities to look at congestion charging but there is no appetite whatsoever for it; no-one would be in favour.

"If the government give us enough money for a gold-star transport system and put that in advance of any congestion charges, then there might be a case.

"The current idea would force motorists into a second-class public transport system. In London, they have a regulated bus service and the tube which takes them all over the city. We have nothing like that.

"In Bolton, Virgin trains from Bolton to Manchester have been cut by a half in the May timetable. That's a double whammy. We are totally opposed to this.

"At the moment people have no alternative but to use their cars because of the third-rate, underfunded transport system in place."

The Commission investigation could see a massive increase in park and ride schemes.

A recent report on M60 jams said congestion charges would need to be introduced into Greater Manchester within the next eight years.