Friday, March 13, 2009

Scottish vote in higher parking charges for most polluting cars in Edinburgh

Recently, local residents responded by more than three to one in favour of an initiative designed to encourage the use of more climate friendly vehicles and discourage gas guzzlers.

After several years of effort, We Are Futureproof has helped to push through CO2-based parking charges in Scotland's capital. Permit holders with the most polluting vehicles will see their charges double from the current £160 a year to £320. Drivers of the least polluting vehicles will see their permit prices fall from £80 to just £15.

Despite predictable howls of outrage from the local press, and sour grapes from the Tories, Edinburgh's Lib Dem-SNP led Council will push ahead with these charges, having secured the resounding support of 73% of the public in its 'Park Green' consultation.

Green Councillor Steve Burgess, who joined us for our Edinburgh launch in November 2006, initially proposed the scheme. He said: "I am delighted with the public response to this consultation. This is not about fat-cat charges, it is a charge aimed at reducing pollution levels."

This will be the first CO2-based parking charges scheme in Scotland. Let's hope that other places will now follow Edinburgh's lead.

You can read more here.

Gregory Norminton, for We Are Futureproof in Edinburgh