Edinburgh votes on congestion charge

Monday, 7 February 2005 12:00 AM

Residents in Edinburgh will today begin to vote on controversial plans to introduce congestion charging to the capital.

The council's proposals could see drivers charged for entering the town centre at peak times. There would be two cordons, an outer one for the morning rush hour and an inner cordon operating until 1830. Drivers wishing to enter the zone would be charged two pounds a day.

The plans have split both the city and politicians, with vigorous campaigns both for and against the proposals.

Campaigners say the tolls will reduce congestion and safeguard the environment, whilst opponents say they will hit the economy without bringing real benefits.

Four parties, comprising the Scottish Conservatives, the Scottish National Party, the Scottish Liberal Democrats and the Scottish Socialist Party, have joined forces to campaign against the tolls.

Scottish Conservative Leader David McLetchie said: "This is nothing more than another tax on motorists who already pay the highest fuel tax and duties in Europe."

Ken McAskill of the SNP said: "We accept that congestion is a problem and that the status quo is not an option but this proposal is the wrong scheme at the wrong time."

The Liberal Democrats' Margaret Smith said that better public transport and "carrots before sticks" were needed, and Colin Fox of the SSP said: "What the people of Edinburgh need is better public transport for everyone. It's NO to tolls unless there is real public transport choice."

But, the Green Party accused the parties of 'hypocrisy' for promising action on climate change, but failing to back the scheme.

Mark Ballard said that too many politicians were only paying lip service to the environment: "The transport package proposed by Edinburgh City Council is the only proposal that will reduce traffic and congestion - which would have enormous benefits for the health and quality of life of everyone living and travelling into Edinburgh, and would help the city become an attractive place to work and visit."

The postal vote closes on February 21, with the result expected to be put before Edinburgh Council's meeting on February 24.

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