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Minister backs charges
Page 7
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I Scotland's deputy transport iinister has delivered the learest indication yet that the cottish Executive will back any
empt by Edinburgh City uncil to introduce congestIon arging.
The comments from Lewis acDonald were accompanied a warning that unless both uncils and the executive act curb traffic growth, conges levels will rise by at least 0% over the next 20 years.
He told the Freight Transport sociation's Scottish freight nference that without the arge waiting times were likely double. He adds: This mine good news for freight uliers and the introduction of y road charging scheme will nefit hauliers in the long run saving them time and ney."
Although he said it would be mature to comment on the utive's response to any posals, his previous statents on tackling congestion wth can be seen as tacit approval of any such scheme.
Carl Olufsen, Scottish area fleet manager for Securicor Omega Express, says: Our argument has always been that we run essential vehicles and we don't go into city centres because we think its a good idea, we go simply because we have to.
"Having said that we recognise that congestion charging is probably going to be a reality for us. However, I think we would want very visible and prompt advantages to the industry to justify the outlay we are making." He adds that the industry is still seeking cons:deration of the essential role it plays in servicing the city The city council has promised a referendum on the planned £2-per-day charge before putting it into action.
• Elsewhere In MacDonald's speech he promised research into ways of improving the efficiency of the industry. "We want to know what economic or infrastructural things inhibit efficiency."