UNION leaders say that public transport in York and North Yorkshire would be inadequate for workers if there were any moves to bring congestion charges to the county's roads.
The GMB union is concerned that rural areas of North Yorkshire do not have a network of buses and trains that would allow commuters to travel to work as effectively as when using their cars.
Senior GMB official, Paul Kenny, believes councils would have to massively invest in public transport before introducing charges.
He said: "The charges have worked well in London because of their integrated public transport system. There is no point in considering penalising the workers for using their cars if there are no real alternatives."
Shift workers throughout North Yorkshire rely on private transport to commute during unsociable hours. But congestion charges could force them to rely on public transport, causing difficulties in rural areas.
Mr Kenny said: "In rural areas with poor services, people may find it is a lottery to get to work, and people who work shifts may find there is no public transport available."
GMB figures produced in 2001 show that only 8.8 per cent of York's population travel to work using public transport, with even less in North Yorkshire at 4.8 per cent. This compares with between 50 and 60 per cent of the people living in the 11 inner London boroughs, who use public transport to get to work. Mr Kenny added: "Councillors and civic leaders think they can just introduce a congestion charge, and take it as quick money. It is nothing more than taxing motorists."
City of York Council believes York has Britain's best Park & Ride service, a good cycle network, high walking levels and an improved bus service.
A council spokesperson said: "In relation to congestion charging in York, this is not a strategy we are currently pursuing. We will, however, watch the effect of congestion charging in London and elsewhere. We will review the effectiveness of that charging in relation to any potential for York."
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire County Council said nothing had been considered with regard to congestion charges.
Updated: 09:06 Thursday, March 06, 2003
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