martinlittle.com

Tuesday February 22 2005 at 12:58 GMT

Edinburgh has said NO to congestion charging by almost 3 votes to 1, which I think is the best plan. Quite simply, I don't believe the council are up to the task of effectively organising traffic in Edinburgh (they're making a right mess with some other changes right now).

In many areas it already costs to park a car, but there are more permits than spaces by quite a margin. Allegedly the system was put in place with charges only to cover the administration, but I just don't believe that.

In addition, I simply don't believe Edinburgh has a major traffic problem, apart from when the council gets involved and messes with the roads. There is an increase in vehicles at rushour in the morning and at night, but apart from that it's just not that bad.

I'm wondering what the next steps are going to be here. We're sure to get screwed some other way! Don't get me wrong, I'm no car-loving-public-transport-hating zealot (I don't own a car and predominantly get buses or walk), but I've seen too many sneaky things attempted by our 'leaders'.

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I agree that it was probably a good thing that this particular plan was dropped, it seemed too complicated to be successful ro fair. While congestion may not be a massive problem I do however think that something needs to be done because the air quality in Edinburgh is diabolical. When I flew back to Edinburgh in September you could see a layer of smog over the city as we came into land. And then walking along Gorgie Road in the morning at rush hour was enough to cut a couple of years off my life from the fumes. I used to think Edinburgh had good air when I lived there too.

Carrick | Tuesday February 22 at 13:28 GMT | Web| Comment permalink

I disagree. I don\'t see an alternative to spending serious money on public transport, and I don\'t see where the serious money can be raised if not from congestion charging. Edinburgh residents are being very short sighted here - at some point in the future I fear we will regret this decision. The traffic in Edinburgh has grown progressively worse over the last few years, and shows no sign of slowing down.

While the air quality in Edinburgh is not great, it is a hundred times better than London....

Simon | Wednesday February 23 at 13:58 GMT| Comment permalink

You obviously don't drive a car in Edinburgh very often. Getting around town was noticeably easier last week when the schools were on holiday. I'd expect a similiar reduction of traffic if the tolls were to be implemented.

Neil | Wednesday February 23 at 14:20 GMT| Comment permalink

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