Ian Robertson, Councillor RMBC

 First, let me say where I 'come from'. I stopped using my car to go to work in the city about ten years ago. I just decided that sitting in queues was a mug's game. Since then I used train initially and now I use the bus, It certainly takes longer, but a) I can read on the bus and b) I get half an hour's walk each morning before I hit my desk, and feel the better for it.

I can't see anyone actually supporting a congestion charge right now. It's a bit like asking people to pay more tax - we just don't want it.

So I would say right now 'No', but we also have to listen to the arguments. It is clear that a prerequisite to even thinking about a congestion charge is improved public transport, and that doesn't just mean Rochdale's Metrolink. It means improvements in bus and rail services and improvements in parking near rail stations and bus routes. It means ensuring that everything that could be done is being done. For example all practicable improvements to the road network (just like the layout at Victoria Road intersection is being done right now). It means bus lanes right into the city. It means business and local authorities taking the lead in adopting flexible working wherever possible to spread the traffic load over a longer period and in so doing reduce congestion.

If these can be dealt with and there is still unacceptable congestion, at the end of the day we will have to consider some means of restricting traffic - by congestion charging, by prohibiting car use on alternate days, or by some other means. There will simply be no options left.