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Campaigners make road charge call | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Environmentalists have called on politicians to explore the use of congestion charging to tackle Scotland's transport problems. | Environmentalists have called on politicians to explore the use of congestion charging to tackle Scotland's transport problems. |
The plea comes after the extension of the London Congestion Charge, which it is claimed has cut city centre traffic. | The plea comes after the extension of the London Congestion Charge, which it is claimed has cut city centre traffic. |
Friends of the Earth (FoE) Scotland said air pollution was harming the health of the public. | Friends of the Earth (FoE) Scotland said air pollution was harming the health of the public. |
Last year, a Scottish Executive study concluded that road tolls were unlikely to be introduced in the near future. | Last year, a Scottish Executive study concluded that road tolls were unlikely to be introduced in the near future. |
FoE Scotland claimed congestion charges and better public transport could be the solution. | FoE Scotland claimed congestion charges and better public transport could be the solution. |
Chief executive Duncan McLaren said: "Building new roads and bridges is not the answer. They will simply lead to more traffic and more congestion. | |
We need measures to get people out of their cars and on to safe, convenient and affordable alternatives Duncan McLarenFriends of the Earth Scotland | We need measures to get people out of their cars and on to safe, convenient and affordable alternatives Duncan McLarenFriends of the Earth Scotland |
"We need a package of measures to get people out of their cars and on to safe, convenient and affordable alternatives. | "We need a package of measures to get people out of their cars and on to safe, convenient and affordable alternatives. |
"This means greater investment in public transport, safer streets for cycling and walking, better land-use planning, and the introduction of a fair system of road-user or congestion charging." | "This means greater investment in public transport, safer streets for cycling and walking, better land-use planning, and the introduction of a fair system of road-user or congestion charging." |
The executive report said a previous 'No' vote on congestion charging in Edinburgh and the time and money required to develop a national congestion charging scheme suggested that such schemes were only a distant possibility. | The executive report said a previous 'No' vote on congestion charging in Edinburgh and the time and money required to develop a national congestion charging scheme suggested that such schemes were only a distant possibility. |
Ministers have pledged to stabilise the volume of traffic on Scotland's roads by 2021. | Ministers have pledged to stabilise the volume of traffic on Scotland's roads by 2021. |
Scheme extended | |
In 2003 transport accounted for almost a fifth of all Scottish greenhouse gas emissions. | In 2003 transport accounted for almost a fifth of all Scottish greenhouse gas emissions. |
The amount of traffic in Scotland has grown by almost 20% since in 1994. | The amount of traffic in Scotland has grown by almost 20% since in 1994. |
This weekend marked the fourth anniversary of the London Congestion Charge. | |
On Monday morning, the scheme was extended to the west of the city, covering most of Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea. | |
Air quality | |
Mayor Ken Livingstone said the amount of traffic entering central London during charging hours had been cut by about 20%. | Mayor Ken Livingstone said the amount of traffic entering central London during charging hours had been cut by about 20%. |
It has also increased bus and bicycle use as well as cutting carbon dioxide emissions. | It has also increased bus and bicycle use as well as cutting carbon dioxide emissions. |
However, a spokesman for the National Alliance Against Tolls Scotland (NAATS) claimed the London scheme had not reduced congestion or improved air quality. | |
"The people of Edinburgh saw through these myths two years ago when we had the toll poll. The people of Scotland will not fall for these myths now," he said. |