Edinburgh says no to congestion charging
Edinburgh residents have voted against introducing a congestion charge to the city.
The plans would have seen motorists charged £2 a day to travel into the city centre, during certain hours.
Edinburgh residents were asked to vote for or against the plans and asked to approve a package of planned improvements for transport in the area. Money from the congestion scheme would have been used to fund these changes.
On a high turn-out of 61.8 per cent, 133,678 voted against the proposal with 45,965 in favour, meaning nearly three-quarters of those voting were against the proposals.
‘Yes’ campaigners had argued that the plans would make the city safer and cleaner as well as leading to improvements in public transport. But, they complained that it has been hard to get their message across as the local media had been opposed to the scheme.
The ‘no’ campaign claimed that the scheme would have hurt the economy as well as pushing traffic into the residential areas of the city.
Edinburgh Council said that it would still continue to invest in transport in the city with two tram lines and improved park and ride facilities.
Council leader Donald Anderson, said that they would respect the decision and congestion charging would not be introduced.
Mr Anderson said: “We advocated the scheme because we thought that congestion charging was in the best interests of the city, but we will respect the choice made by Edinburgh residents.
“The idea is now dead and buried for Edinburgh but we are as committed as ever to further improving our city’s transport. We are delivering the £1 billion of investment committed in recent years – the biggest boost since Victorian times.”
Green MSP Mark Ballard said that tackling congestion must remain a priority for the city.
Mr Ballard said: “This debate has shown that doing nothing about congestion is not an option. It has highlighted the significant problems that Edinburgh Council faces in trying to provide quality public transport and reduce traffic congestion. In addition to greater investment in public transport – we also need measures to persuade people out of their cars.”
He warned that other measures to improve air quality might now have to been taken, saying: “Parties or politicians who campaigned against the congestion charge have failed to take account of these long-term repercussions, and have therefore failed to act in the interests of those who live in and around Edinburgh.”
