Edinburgh Council explores congestion charge for cars entering capital
Edinburgh is to explore bringing in a congestion charge for cars entering the capital, over 20 years after a similar proposal was defeated at the ballot box.
The city will begin having conversations with Glasgow, which is also interested in introducing a congestion charge, and with other local authorities in the Lothians.
In February 2005, a referendum was held on introducing a congestion charge in Edinburgh, which was roundly defeated.
But some councillors feel that the time is now appropriate to start exploring such a scheme again.
Green councillor Chas Booth, speaking at the council's Transport and Environment Committee, said: 'There is an opportunity today to start a conversation about road user charging. Let's start that conversation.'
At present, London is the only city in the UK to have introduced a congestion charge. Introduced in 2003, the scheme charges motorists £15 to enter the core of the city.
Under the scheme proposed in 2005, drivers in Edinburgh would have been charged £2 (£3.50 today) to enter the capital.
However, it was roundly defeated, with the postal ballot seeing 74% of voters rejecting the proposal.
Under an amendment to the City Mobility Plan, which was passed at the Transport and Environment Committee on Thursday, the council will begin exploring the plans with other councils.
The city will seek to work with Glasgow, Sestrans and several local authorities around Edinburgh to develop a common framework for how congestion charging could work in Scottish cities.
Any scheme may face an uphill struggle, as the legislation for enabling a road pricing scheme does not fully exist.
London's scheme was introduced using powers specifically granted to the city by Westminster in 1999.
However, the Scottish Government will soon discuss legislative changes that could make congestion charging possible.
Cllr Booth said that the money could go towards funding local infrastructure projects, dozens of which were paused on Thursday due to a lack of available cash.
Cllr Booth told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'I'm delighted Edinburgh has agreed to start conversations about congestion charging with other councils.
'It's absolutely clear that Edinburgh will not meet its commitments to address the climate emergency unless we take bold action to encourage people to choose more sustainable alternatives to the private car.
'While the council doesn't yet have the full powers to introduce congestion charging, and any Edinburgh scheme is likely to be many years away, it is nonetheless right that we start talking about what a scheme might look like.
'[We will explore] whether we have any common ground with Glasgow which is also considering a scheme, and with surrounding councils about how we can ensure an equitable distribution of any income from the scheme to support sustainable commuting into Edinburgh.'
The council's new City Mobility Plan sets out Edinburgh's infrastructure priorities for the next ten years.
More than 70 active travel, public transport and regeneration projects will be taken ahead under the project.
Among them are the long-promised transformation of George Street, an active travel link between the Meadows and the Union Canal and public transport and active travel works in the Granton Waterfront.
More than 50 other projects were paused, the vast majority of which were already on hold before the report or had not yet been started.
Labour councillor Stephen Jenkinson, who convenes the Transport and Environment Committee, said: I'm really pleased that we've agreed this bold programme for our city.
'Prioritisation allows us to work smarter with the resources we have available – making sure we have a clear and achievable path to achieving our objectives.
'This programme follows the successes of major infrastructure projects such as Trams to Newhaven and active travel projects including the City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL), Roseburn to Union Canal and Leith Connections.
'This is an extensive piece of work which allows the City Mobility Plan to be agile, and able to adapt in the future as necessary.
'However, one key element in this conversation is the fact that we remain dependent on external funding for many projects, particularly from the Scottish Government and by extension Transport Scotland.
'Complex projects which take years to plan and complete but which are subject to annual external funding decisions make this situation inherently difficult.
'We need commitment and stability from the Scottish Government if we're to deliver the changes which our city needs and deserves.
'We'll now take forward these projects which will keep Edinburgh moving and make our city a safer, more sustainable and accessible place for all.'
Like this:
Like
Related
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
13 minutes ago
- The National
Top SNP figures in secret meeting to discuss John Swinney's leadership
Attendees said that the First Minister has two weeks in which to come up with a new strategy on independence or face a 'bloodbath' at the SNP conference, The Herald reported. A source told that paper: 'It feels like Groundhog Day. The last time John was in charge he dropped independence, surrounded himself only by people who agreed with him, and pushed out the likes of Margo [McDonald] and anyone who challenged his devolutionist strategy. 'For those with short memories, that ended in a bruising defeat. If he stays, we will be heading for a repeat. What is left of the membership will not tolerate it.' READ MORE: Controversial Loch Lomond Flamingo Land plans recalled by Scottish ministers It comes after SNP insiders made a similar argument to The National, warning that it felt like the party was being headed up by a small, private leadership group and 'heading back into the same old internal splits'. The Herald reported that the Monday meeting was ostensibly about forcing the party to move forward on independence, but there was a unanimous view that the First Minister 'has no intention of putting independence anywhere near the party's narrative whatsoever". Previously, the SNP's former policy chief Toni Giugliano told The National that independence had never been so far off the party's agenda as currently under Swinney. One source told The Herald: 'If there is nothing in the next couple of weeks from the leadership, then conference will be a bloodbath.' Though they doubted that any MSP or MP would challenge Swinney directly, they said it did not matter if the only competition came from an activist, as any contest would be 'hugely damning and damaging, and make the party look utterly ridiculous". Under SNP rules, any member who can secure 100 nominations from 20 different branches ahead of party conference can trigger a leadership vote. (Image: PA) Last year, Swinney faced a leadership challenge from party activist Graeme McCormick, who claimed to have secured the necessary nominations. However, McCormick was later talked out of the challenge after a 'lengthy and fruitful conversation' with Swinney. An SNP insider predicted similar challenges, saying: 'NEC members better start looking for new hobbies unless the leadership announces a change of direction soon — because at this rate we are heading for a mass clear-out.' They went on: 'The ability to make the case for independence is not a desirable part of the job description – it is essential – and he has failed on probation. 'The Presbyterian schoolmaster might fly in Perthshire – but in the rest of Scotland it just does not land. Stabilising the party only works for a short time. There is no energy, no fire, no boldness, no long-term vision.' Last week's Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election saw the SNP lose to Labour by 602 votes. READ MORE: 'Absurdity' of UK position on Israel while still supplying arms called out by SNP MP The party had been favourites, with Swinney calling it a two-horse race between his party and Nigel Farage's Reform UK. Yesterday, the constituency's new MSP, Davy Russell, took his oath at Holyrood and, in a speech on the steps of the garden lobby, said his win could be a 'springboard' to Labour winning power next year. The seat had been held by Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie until her death earlier this year at the age of 57. At a press conference on Friday, Swinney insisted there had been progress for his party when the result was measured against their dire performance at last year's general election. One MSP told The Herald on Sunday that that was not enough. They said it was time for Swinney to make changes to his top team. 'I think a proper ministerial reshuffle is required, and an exercise undertaken to seek new policies. For example, I would call in the former MPs who have experience but have had time to refresh their perspective. 'I can sense that many – for the first time – are now nervous, and rightfully so. 'On independence – again, it can never be enough to simply run a competent devolved government without a vision of what could be.' The First Minister is expected to conduct a limited reshuffle of his ministerial team in the coming days. Swinney's previous time in charge saw the party's vote share and number of seats fall. He resigned in 2004, paving the way for the return of Alex Salmond. Asked by the BBC on Sunday if he was still the man to lead the party, Swinney said: 'Yes. Twelve months ago, the party turned to me. 'I was not seeking high office – I had held high office for a long time in my life – and the party turned to me, at a moment of real jeopardy, and asked me to use all of my skills and experience, and the loyalty I command in the party, to bring people together and focus us on the future.' Professor Sir John Curtice said the close battle for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse did not mean Anas Sarwar was a shoo-in for Bute House. READ MORE: These key economic truths show how independent Scotland and Wales can succeed The election expert told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'The recent message from opinion polls is the SNP is running at just over 30%, Labour is around 20%, so it seems a reasonable expectation that such a result would not mean Anas Sarwar is Scotland's next first minister.' An SNP spokesperson said: 'Since John Swinney became leader last year he has brought the SNP back together and the party is back to doing what it does best – standing up for the people of Scotland. 'In the run-up to next year's Scottish Parliament election, the SNP will continue to deliver for people across the country, while setting out a clear and hopeful vision for their future as an independent country. 'With the latest polling putting support for independence at 54%, the SNP will continue to focus on demonstrating how having the full powers of an independent country is key to addressing the everyday concerns of people across Scotland and creating a more prosperous society for us all.'
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Can you afford not to have a cyber insurance policy?
Scott McLuskey helps clients find the cyber insurance policy that's right for them Cyber attacks cost Scottish businesses £386m annually – but most firms still aren't insured, warns Scott McLuskey Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Recent high-profile cyber incidents involving major UK institutions including Marks & Spencer, Harrods, and the Co-op are a stark reminder: no business is immune to attack. I first spoke about the importance of cyber insurance at the inaugural Cyber Scotland Week six years ago, an initiative supported by the Government to promote cyber resilience. Since then, the threat has only accelerated – today, a cyber-attack occurs every 44 seconds in the UK. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Yet despite the scale of risk, many business leaders remain confident that their organisations are protected. Antivirus software, cloud backups, an in-house or outsourced IT Manager and a general belief that they're 'covered' often mask the reality: these measures alone are not enough. It wasn't just a cyber attack, it was an M&S cyber attack that cost millions (Picture: Adobe) Reports surrounding the recent attack on British retail heavyweight M&S suggest that the attack will cost an estimated £300 million and was not the result of poor systems, but of human error – a tale as old as time and the weakest link in any cyber defence strategy. Smaller businesses are also firmly in the firing line. Vodafone estimates Scottish SMEs are losing a combined £386m a year to Cyber Attacks, with 40% of SMEs falling victim last year alone. Costs following an attack can be significant: from forensic investigations, legal advice, regulatory notifications, and PR management, to lost revenue, extortion demands, credit monitoring, and potential lawsuits. The good news is that a cyber insurance policy offers a risk transfer solution to address these costs and assist recovery. Today's leading cyber policies also go beyond simple risk transfer – they include value-added services like vulnerability scans, penetration testing, and employee training. While not a substitute for a dedicated cybersecurity provider, these tools provide vital early protection and peace of mind. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, buying cyber insurance isn't always straightforward. With over 30 readily available cyber insurers – plus Lloyd's of London – and each provider offering a different proposition with their own minimum cyber security based acceptance criteria, the market can feel impenetrable. Unlike traditional insurance policies, cyber cover is still relatively new, with the first policy written in the late 1990s - the market and crucially insurer's loss data is continually developing. Compare that with buildings insurance, first developed in the wake of the Great Fire of London in the 17th century. As a result, there's wide variation in policy coverage, pricing, and – most importantly – what policyholders need to do to ensure claims are valid. Too often, businesses only realise this after a breach, when it's too late. There are promising signs. Leading providers like CFC Underwriting report a claims payout rate of over 99% and industry-wide improvements are being made in clarity, claims handling, and support services. But challenges remain – particularly for small and medium-sized businesses. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A UK Government report found that 50% of businesses suffered some form of breach in the past year, rising to 70% among medium-sized firms. Yet just over half of all companies have cyber cover. Scotland's economy, built on a vibrant mix of SMEs, family-run firms, and fast-growing tech businesses, is particularly exposed. As the majority of organisations have digitised operations, even modest breaches can have a disproportionate impact – not only on individual companies, but on supply chains, customer trust, and investor confidence across the sector. Cyber resilience is no longer just a technical issue; it's an economic imperative. The Association of British Insurers has also identified a communication gap: cyber insurance is too often presented as a standalone 'product,' when in reality it's an ongoing service that begins before a breach and supports the business throughout. At Monteith, we're working to bridge this gap. We help clients understand their cyber exposure, decode policy language, and choose the right level of cover. Most importantly, we walk our clients through the fine print – ensuring they know exactly what's required to stay compliant, so their insurance delivers when it matters most. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The threat isn't going away. Business leaders must go beyond firewalls and backups. They need to take proactive steps – including securing expert cyber insurance advice – to protect against what is now one of the most persistent and costly risks in modern business.
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Taking big steps towards solving housing emergency
City of Edinburgh Council depute leader Mandy Watt As Edinburgh continues to grow, one of the most pressing issues we face is the shortage of affordable housing. We've seen demand for homes increase year after year, but at the same time housing costs keep rising. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The city's supply of social housing and the grant funding we receive from the Scottish Government to build new homes just hasn't kept pace with demand. We're working to tackle this housing emergency by both building homes and buying them. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With around 5500 households in temporary accommodation every night because of homelessness, we've set a target to significantly improve housing and to source homes quickly, within the means that we have. Leith MSP Ben Macpherson with the First Minister John Swinney at the Granton Waterfront development Edinburgh continues to be the lowest funded local authority in Scotland per head of population and currently has fewer council-owned homes, so we need to do things differently from other councils. In the same way that homebuyers need a mortgage, borrowing has become a vital and standard part of our financial planning when we buy or build homes. It's the most straightforward way to overcome the shortfall in our grant funding. At the same time, we're also continuing to make considerable investment in net zero energy improvements to existing council homes and retrofitting buildings because we need them to be more sustainable and in good condition. This too is supported by capital borrowing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad While our debt levels remain prudent and in line with our income and spend, our financial planning in this area is enabling us to fund the regeneration the city needs. We're using this approach to build and extend schools for the next generation, restore important structures like the North Bridge and create new communities, like the Granton Waterfront. We've also taken a big step this week towards finding a solution for the existing community on Dreghorn Estate and it's an excellent example of the power of well-managed borrowing. At a special meeting of our Finance and Resources Committee on Monday, we agreed in principle to purchase 38 homes from the Ministry of Defence for £6.65 million, using a mix of funding from the Scottish Government housing grant together with long-term loans. Rental income, over the life of the properties, will cover the borrowing costs. If agreed at full council, this purchase will secure the futures of families already living on the estate and it will also provide us with an already thriving community for other council tenants to move into. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This is a huge step towards a positive outcome – a fantastic example of doing things differently to make sure we address our housing emergency and I know residents are very grateful that this proposal has had so much support from councillors. Cllr Mandy Watt, Edinburgh City Council Depute Leader and Finance and Resources Convener
