Scottish Executive's retreat on trunk road charging
TRANSform Scotland (1) today criticised the Scottish Executive's retreat on proposals for trunk road user charging. (2) The U-turn removes the possibility that trunk road charging revenues could be used to improve public transport alternatives on Scotland's key trunk transport corridors.
Colin Howden, Campaign Manager of TRANSform Scotland, said:
"The Scottish Executive's retreat on trunk road user charging is inconsistent. If it has now decided that the policy would not work then why is it reserving the possibility of applying tolls on new roads? If the Scottish Executive's plans are for new roads funded by tolls it will destroy its credibility as having a transport policy that could tackle Scotland's problems of congestion and pollution."
Colin Howden concluded:
"The Executive appear to have made this decision following the success of the SNP's 'Toll Tax' campaign in misleading the debate on road charging. But if the Executive chooses to continue to make policy by focus group, its supposedly radical attempts to tackle pollution and congestion will soon fall apart. If it is to capitulate on this proposal, which one is next?"
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
(1) TRANSform Scotland is the national sustainable transport campaign, bringing together 58 organisations - including transport operators, local authorities, environment and conservation groups, chambers of commerce and local transport groups - interested in transport, the environment and a sustainable Scotland. We can be contacted at 72 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh, EH6 5QG. Tel.: 0131-467-7714; Fax: 0131-554-8656;
E-mail: campaigns@transformscotland.org.uk; web: http://www.transformscotland.org.uk
(2) As reported in Herald, today, 03/11/99.
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