Friday April 22nd 2022
The A7 junction at the Wisp in Danderhall on the Midlothian/Edinburgh boundary is where a proposed commuter charging zone could start. Photo Credit Google.
The SNP in Edinburgh say they intend to charge Midlothian residents who travel to Edinburgh across the Edinburgh Council boundary.
The Edinburgh SNP local election manifesto says on page 32:
“Congestion is a major problem for our city and much of it results from commuter journeys originating outwith Edinburgh – from the rest of the Lothians, Fife and beyond. We will introduce a commuter charging zone at the city boundary to discourage those living outwith the city from driving in, encouraging them to switch to bus, tram, train, foot or cycle. No Edinburgh resident – including those living in South Queensferry and the western villages – will ever have to pay the charge. We will use the revenue raised to fund sustainable transport projects, such as new park and ride schemes, sharing investment across the Lothians”
Midlothian Labour has hit back saying that similar schemes in England range from £2 per day to £15 per day. They also say that’s on top of the planned workplace parking levies, which will also hit people who rely on their cars to get to work, due to the lack of adequate, reliable public transport.
Speaking after reading the SNP Manifesto, Midlothian Council Leader, Derek Milligan said.
“These pledges are rich, coming from a party whose Midlothian Councillors recently argued that Midlothian residents could not afford to pay an extra 65p per week per household in Council Tax, which could have protected many council services and local jobs, here in Midlothian. Yet they are happy to add another £1,000 to the annual bills for Midlothian people who work anywhere in Edinburgh.
“Their argument that this is purely to do with preventing congestion and tackling climate change is laughable. If that was the case why are they promising not to apply congestion charging to any Edinburgh Council Taxpayers even though many live over 10 miles from the city centre. So, a resident of Danderhall, which is a few yards outside the city, will pay the charges but someone from South Queensferry will not.
“This is simply an attempt to make Midlothian residents and those from other neighbouring Council areas bail out a failing, SNP led, Edinburgh Council.
“If we genuinely want to get people out of their cars then what we need first is a reliable, affordable, more frequent public transport system available to all, before charging is even considered.
“In 2005 when Edinburgh last tried to implement congestion charging, Midlothian’s Labour administration fought tooth and nail against the proposals, even though they were made by Labour Councillors in Edinburgh, and it was eventually abandoned. It was wrong then and it is wrong now.
“If the SNP gain power in Midlothian on May 5th, can you really see them taking on their counterparts
in the city on this?
“Remember Midlothian’s SNP Councillors and MSPs have described the budgets handed down to Midlothian by their masters in Holyrood as “Welcome” and “Good settlements” when everyone knows that Councils like Midlothian are grossly underfunded by Scottish Government. Even their own auditors agree.
“Midlothian Labour Councillors have shown time and time again that they are prepared to challenge any decision or proposal that is against the best interests of Midlothian residents and our communities, irrespective of who makes them, and we will continue to do so.”
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