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'Please don't make us pay
Page 14
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David Harris reports on Edinburgh's plan for a congestion charging scheme.
SCOTTISH OPERATORS have asked Edinburgh transport bosses for an exemption from the city's proposed congestion charge. The submission from the Road Haulage Association argues that if truck drivers do have to pay they should be allowed to use the city's bus lanes in return.
The Scottish branch of the RHA says hauliers would rather not pay the charge at all, but if do they should get the benefit of being able to get into and out of the city more quickly by using the restricted lanes.
Phil Flanders, director of the RHA in Scotland, says: "We want the council to be imaginative about this. The whole point of the scheme is to cut congestion, and allowing trucks to use the bus lanes would do that." He adds that the restricted lanes could be re-named "no-car" lanes, as is the case in Newcastle and London.
Edinburgh is the only British city that appears likely to follow London's lead in imposing a con gestion charge. As the proposals stand the charge would be £2 a day for cars and trucks with no restriction on the number of times the city is entered.
The exemptions announced so far include taxis, disabled badge holders and emergency vehicles.
The city council wants to start charging in spring 2006, but the scheme will first face a Public Inquiry which begins on 27 April this year and is scheduled to last 10 weeks.
The inquiry's report is expected by October; after that the city council plans an "affirmative referendum" to endorse the plans.