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NEWS RELEASE Monday 4th October 2004 'Taking Charge' conference on road pricing: TRANSform Scotland (1) today issued a challenge to the
opponents of congestion charging to either come out in support of Edinburgh's
congestion charge proposal, come up with a coherent alternative - or 'shut
up'. The challenge will be made at the 'Taking Charge' conference
on road pricing due to be held today (Monday 4th) in Edinburgh at the
SAS Radisson hotel. (2) The conference will question what role road pricing
can and should play in Scotland - or whether there are any convincing
alternatives. TRANSform Scotland regards it as unfortunate that certain
opposition political parties and other roads lobby opponents of road user
charging have been unable to offer any credible alternatives for controlling
traffic growth. TRANSform Scotland Chair David Spaven said: "Critics of congestion charging argued that it wouldn't
work in London. Now that it's clearly working very well in London, with
overall traffic levels in and around the city centre significantly reduced,
and big benefits for the city economy, public health and road safety,
they're still saying it can't work in Edinburgh. "Over the last couple of years, despite frequent opportunities
to state their case, the opponents of congestion charging in Edinburgh
have failed to come up with any convincing alternatives to congestion
charging if we are to avoid gridlock in Scotland's capital. If the critics
can't put up, it's time for them to shut up." ENDS Notes to Editors: (1) TRANSform Scotland TRANSform Scotland is the national sustainable transport
campaign, bringing together rail, bus and shipping operators, local authorities,
national environment and conservation groups, consultancies and local
transport groups - interested in transport, the environment and a sustainable
Scotland. We can be contacted at Lamb's House, Burgess Street, Leith,
Edinburgh, EH6 6RD. Tel: 0131 467 7714; Fax: 0131 554 8656; e-mail: info@transformscotland.org.uk;
web: http://www.transformscotland.org.uk (2) 'Taking Charge' conference - practicalities The conference is being held at the SAS Radisson, 80 High
Street, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, 10.00am to 4.30pm (registration from
9.30am). Keynote speakers Prof. David Begg, Prof. George Hazel & Tony
Grayling (ippr) will be speaking between 10.05am and 11.15am. The second
morning session will feature speakers about the London congestion charge. (3) 'Taking Charge' conference - media access Free entry to the conference is available to journalists.
Please make yourself known to conference registration on the day. (4) 'Taking Charge' conference - background Speakers at this event come from a broad range of disciplines including senior politicians, business groups, policy experts, environment campaigns and overseas experience. Topics to be considered include: * What do the UK Department for Transport's proposals mean
for Scotland? The speakers at the conference are:
END OF NEWS RELEASE
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