Get Edinburgh Moving

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release: Monday 13th December 2004

Get Edinburgh Moving:
Launch of civic coalition for 'yes' vote in Transport Edinburgh referendum

A coalition of transport, environment, student and community groups have today (Monday 13th December) launched the 'Get Edinburgh Moving' coalition to press for a 'yes' vote in February's referendum on transport.

Get Edinburgh Moving campaigners will be taking to the streets to inform the public of the great number of benefits on offer as a result of a 'yes' vote.

As well as distributing information materials the group is today launching its website http://www.getedinburghmoving.org

Get Edinburgh Moving is asking the public and the rest of Edinburgh's civic society to log-on and get involved in ensuring the council's sustainable proposals come to fruition.

David Spaven, Chair of TRANSform Scotland, said:

"Edinburgh faces a crisis of traffic congestion. If we do not act quickly, and firmly, to tackle the rising tide of car traffic, the consequences for the city economy, for public health, and for social justice, will be severe. 'Business as usual' is simply
not an option if Edinburgh is to emerge as a great World City in the 21st century. Public transport investment alone cannot tackle the problem of too much road traffic. A successful city transport strategy needs improvements in alternatives to the car to be reinforced by road traffic demand management measures such as congestion charging, in order to lock in the benefits."

Friends of the Earth's Chief Executive, Duncan McLaren, said:

"In Edinburgh, air pollution from traffic causes around 240 premature deaths annually - if traffic and congestion is allowed to grow, this will get worse not better. Those who suffer from the impacts of air pollution are predominantly the elderly and children: that is, not car drivers. The 42% of Edinburgh's households without access to a car should be able to access facilities and services, not just car drivers. Friends of the Earth urges Edinburgh residents to back the proposals in February's referendum."

Gary Glass, Climate Change Co-ordinator of People and Planet Edinburgh said:

"The evidence from our early campaigning shows that students are very positive about congestion charging. Students stand to benefit a great deal as many of us do not have cars and are based in the city centre. The introduction of congestion charging would also benefit the city at large and contribute to reducing climate emissions."

Paul Tetlaw, Chairman of Capital Rail Action Group said:

"Edinburgh lags far behind its European competitors when it comes to rail based public transport. Congestion charging offers the opportunity to create a long term funding stream to provide the transport system we all want. We urge Edinburgh to vote in favour of this scheme so that we can create a quality city that people want to live in and that continues to attract visitors from around the world."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

[1] Background

For background information on the Transport Edinburgh proposals, see
http://www.transport-edinburgh.org.uk/

[2] Get Edinburgh Moving: the members to date are:

Campaign for Borders Rail
ctc Scotland
Capital Rail Action Group
Friends of the Earth Edinburgh
Friends of the Earth Scotland
Gorgie Park Close and Slateford Green Residents' Association
People and Planet
Scottish Association for Public Transport
Spokes
Sustrans
TRANSform Scotland

The campaign website is at: http://www.getedinburghmoving.org/

END OF PRESS RELEASE