[ABD Logo]The Association of British Drivers
Local Issues — Greater Manchester
This page encompasses issues relating to the whole of the former Greater Manchester county, particularly GMP (Greater Manchester Police) and the Greater Manchester Safety Camera Partnership. For issues specifically relating to each of the ten local authorities within the former Greater Manchester county, please refer to the links on the right.
 
ABD Local co-ordinator: Email  

 
 Proposed Greater Manchester Congestion Charge  
 
 External Links  
 
 GM Media Links  
“The cuts have led to roads mayhem”
 
“In my 15 years as a traffic officer in Greater Manchester I have seen experienced colleagues retire and not be replaced, with all the loss of knowledge and skills that this entails. I have seen other traffic officers diverted to deal with crime. This has led to accidents going through the roof, a huge increase in unfit vehicles on the roads, the worst ever standards of driver behaviour.
We are told that the speed cameras cut accidents. They are not about safety; they are all about revenue.
We are required to cut road deaths by 50 per cent by 2010. With traffic officer numbers down by 2,500 this year, we have more chance of having tea with the Pope than achieving that result.”

Un-named police officer writing in
POLICE [pdf 463k]
(The newspaper of the Police Federation)
March 2004
2008-05-02
On Yer Bike Roger!
Congestion Charge advocate Roger Jones as been sent packing by the voters of Irlam, and thus lost his overpaid transport job with Manchester City Council. He suffered a humiliating defeat in the local elections, gaining only 23.2% of the vote, and being beaten by MART-backed Community Action Party candidate.
 
CAP 1152 — 41.2%
Con 832 — 29.7%
Lab 650 — 23.2%
Lib 161 — 5.7%
 
Turn out 39%
 
Sean Corker, ABD Local Co-ordinator for Greater Manchester, and MART spokesman said:
“This result proves beyond doubt that the congestion charge is a cast iron vote loser and that when voters are presented with both sides of the argument they are resolutely against the scheme. Transport Minister Ruth Kelly could well have to decide between approving the Manchester bid and keeping her Bolton West seat at the next election.”

2006-06-23
DriveSafe ticked off by ASA
The Advertising Standards Authority have upheld a complaint against the leaflet issued by the Greater Manchester Casualty Reduction Partnership (see item below).
They found the leaflet to be guilty of breaching rules on denigration, substantiation and truthfulness.

2006-02-14
Bully Boy Tactics are Back
GMP and 'DriveSafe' (the speed camera partnership) have decided to further improve relations between the police and drivers by sending out a threatening leaflet with every fixed penalty notice. Adopting the government's favoured tactic of threatening drivers with a big stick whenever possible, the leaflet warns of dire consequences for such things as putting black tape on your numberplate, or falsely claiming you didn't know who was driving your car.
The blatant purpose of the leaflet is to intimidate drivers into paying £60, even if they know they are innocent (the partnership get no money if cases are taken to court).
When the police used to persecute ethnic minorities like this, we ended up with riots in the streets; yet by an endless barrage of odious propaganda, Britain's car-hating government have made persecuting drivers politically acceptable.

2004-07
Chief Constable Condemns Abuse of Speed Cameras
GMP Chief Constable Michael Todd has spoken of his concern about the way some speed cameras are being abused, and of the unreasonable way many drivers are dealt with.
"I am concerned and always have been concerned about this issue. I believe that speed cameras at casualty reduction sites where they can make a real difference are really necessary in order to stop people from being killed or injured on our roads. But I don't agree with them being used, in effect, as another form of taxation.
"I think it is still of great concern to me that the public think it's about income generation and they lose respect for law and order."
"In the same way we don't go around the city centre on a Saturday night and arrest every single person who is shouting for a breach of the peace. You put your arm around people, say, 'you've had a good night out, you've had a drink, now it's time to go home.'"
Full interview : Insider July 2004
 
 
2003-07-12
Chief Constable speaks out
Michael Todd, Chief Constable of GMP has told his officers to concentrate on real criminals, and stop alienating the public by over zealous prosecution of speeding offences.
TopElsewhere on the ABD website:

External Links:

 
TopMedia Links
MEN = Manchester Evening News
 

A Totally Unique System of Driver Education

 


Top  ABD Home Page    Other Local Areas   Join   Contact