An interesting take here on jimblob's point about roads "crippling all of our abilities to get to work to earn a crust and pay our council taxes"
https://www.ft.com/content/d4fb89b0-ee61-11e9-ad1e-4367d8281195
A reasoned argument and I don't disagree with any of it. Where I regularly work (Aberdeen) I do in fact walk to work and use the bus and don't use a car. But there are afew distinct issues and differences in Stockport's approach over the situation both in Aberdeen and also from the article which is based around Nottingham. The article states that...
"the key to winning businesses’ support was that the money was ringfenced for transport"
In stockport not so... they just waste money on stuff that provides no tangible benefit.
secondly
The council retained a controlling stake in the main bus company when the government enforced mass privatisation in the 1980s. It co-ordinates with the only other operator, a family run group called Trent Barton, to ensure cheap, comprehensive coverage.
again in Stockport, not so and our bus systems are sadly lacking and too expensive.
Stockport seem hell bent on penalising the motorist but offer no viable alternatives; therein lies the flaw in their strategy. Andy Burnham has got it right, but he's years away from his integrated transport plan coming to fruition. In the meantime, Stockport can't keep hitting the humble car owner, it needs to offer a better alternative FIRST!