Opposition to plans for Glasgow congestion charge revealed

Last week, we reported how the council was to push forward with plans to develop a charge on motorists who live outside the city, including those in West Dunbartonshire.

A charge would be levied at the city boundary, while people who live in the city would be exempt.

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City Treasurer Ricky Bell has been an advocate of using additional revenue-raising schemes, like a congestion charge, to help the council raise cash in the face of budget cuts.

The plan will be discussed at a council meeting this week and the main opposition party said it will speak out against it.

Labour said a charge would see residents from outside forced to pay to visit Glasgow for work, family, or social reasons.

Rashid Husain, Labour group leader, said: “It’s true what they say – People Make Glasgow. 

“And that’s not just our current residents. It’s our families, friends and visitors from across Scotland who come here to enjoy our culture, parks and attractions, use health facilities and spend money in local businesses.

“These proposals do nothing except hit workers, services and growth.”

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The councillor said the policy is unfair, unworkable and divisive and council officers should not be asked to waste time developing it.

He added: “An extra charge just to visit loved ones, get to work or attend key services such as the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital is simply unacceptable.

Everyone knows Glasgow’s public transport is not yet reliable, frequent or affordable enough to provide a genuine alternative.

If the SNP and Greens were serious about tackling congestion, they would be fixing buses and trains – not hitting drivers with another tax.”

He said the UK Government has given the Scottish Government “the largest budget settlement in history”, adding: “Where is Glasgow’s fair share?”