Edinburgh disputes that the City's new emissions-based parking permit fees will cause an unnecessary burden to Scottish motorists.
On September 29, I posted a blog entitled "Pay Per Use" in which I quote a rep from the Taypayers' Alliance who said, among other things, "It is simply unfair for Edinburgh council to heap yet more charges on motorists who choose a larger family car."
A press release from the City of Edinburgh Council counters, "The new charging structure will see more than half of permit holders being better off with three quarters being no worse off by the scheme. Only permit holders with the most polluting vehicles or those with a second permit will pay more than they do at present."
Gordon Mackenzie, Transport Convenor for Edinburgh, adds, “As a local authority we have a duty to meet air quality standards and play our part in achieving the target of a 42% reduction in the nation’s CO2 emissions by 2020 as set by the Scottish Parliament.”
“For the Council, this initiative is cost neutral,” he adds. “It is not making any more money but it should help towards achieving our goal of improved air quality and a better environment for residents and visitors to our city.”
Pete Goldin
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