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Edinburgh's congestion charge plans welcomed: Scottish Executive must stop sitting on the fence Commenting on today's statement that the City of Edinburgh Council intends to implement a double cordon congestion charge, Colin Howden, TRANSform Scotland Campaign Manager, said: "The City Council is right to stick to its plans to implement congestion charging. It is not possible to solve Edinburgh's traffic problems unless you implement demand management measures such as congestion charging." "Edinburgh's citizens have now voted twice in favour of congestion charging and more public transport investment, first in 1999 and now this year. It is clear that the majority of people are not satisfied with choking congestion, poisonous air pollution and under-investment in public transport. That is why the City Council, who have been talking about implementing congestion charging for a decade now, must now get a move on and stop the rise in traffic pollution and congestion." "The opponents of congestion charging have their heads stuck firmly in the sand. They all seem to want to reduce congestion and pollution but have failed to come up with any constructive proposals that could achieve this. It might be helpful if those who oppose congestion charging could tell us how they would reduce congestion and pollution rather than just whingeing." TRANSform Scotland are now calling on the Scottish Executive to stop sitting on the fence and publicly back Edinburgh's plans: "The Scottish Executive needs to stop sitting on the fence over congestion charging. UK Transport Secretary Alastair Darling has publicly advocated the need for road charging, it is now time for Scottish Transport Minister Iain Gray to publicly support Edinburgh's plans for congestion charging, and buttress the proposals by making commitment to further sustainable transport investment for the city." END OF NEWS RELEASE |