Big win in Edinburgh
17th of February 2009
Scottish vote in higher parking charges for most polluting cars in Edinburgh
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
