No-vote sends warning to other towns and cities, say pressure groups
Business pressure groups have welcomed the decision to reject congestion charging in Edinburgh. The city voted by three to one to scrap proposals in a referendum on the driving toll.
The Forum for Private Business (FPB) called the result a stark warning to other towns and cities across the UK that might be thinking of similar levies to those introduced in central London. FPB chief executive Nick Goulding said: '[Our members] were worried that the charge would simply push trade out of Edinburgh city centre to out-of-town shopping centres, supermarkets and the internet.'
Scottish Retail Consortium director Fiona Moriarty recognised that Edinburgh had a problem with traffic congestion, but said that the charge was not the best solution.
'It is critically important that Edinburgh city council works with retailers to find solutions to problems with parking and to continue making improvements to the shopping environment.'
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