Row erupts over proposal to charge drivers going into Glasgow

Anas Sarwar, campaigning in the city, spoke out against the SNP-led council proposal to put in place a charge on motorists coming into the city.

It would likely mean technology used to capture registration plates of drivers outside Glasgow coming into the city and those motorists are then liable to pay a toll charge.

Ricky Bell, Glasgow City Council Treasurer, put forward the idea to help the council raise its own income amid ever-tightening budget settlements.

Sarwar said it is a  “crazy proposal”,  unfair on people in neighbouring areas and would hit businesses in Glasgow and he said he will block the plans if he becomes First Minister.

Speaking in Dennistoun at Coia’s Café in Duke Street, he said it would hit people coming into Glasgow for work, for hospital appointments and to enjoy the city’s hospitality offerings.

Anas Sarwar (Image: Glasgow Times)

He said: “This charge would punish motorists for going to work, seeing family, meeting friends, or getting to vital services like hospital appointments.

“That is not fair, and Scottish Labour would block it.”

Councillor Bell, however, said it is the current situation that is unfair on Glasgow’s council tax payers.

Speaking to the our sister title the Glasgow Times, Bell said: “It is strange that a man running for election as a Glasgow MSP wants to stop Glasgow improving itself.

“The existing arrangement is unfair.

“Glasgow pays for metropolitan infrastructure, where people come in but make no contribution.

"Glasgow council taxpayers are paying for the benefits of places that are generally better off than Glasgow.”

He said it is not a deterrent to visitors, but is saying “don’t bring a polluting car in. Leave it at home.”

Bell said extra revenue-raising powers are needed because there is not enough income to fund services.

He said there is a growing demand for services, which are costing more to deliver andthere is not enough money to provide them.

Sarwar said Labour would “fund local government properly”.

Asked by the Glasgow Times how he would fund the council, he said: “We will commit to a Local Democracy Act, which means a fair funding agreement for our local authorities.

“If the Scottish Government budget goes up, then, of course, excluding health consequentials, we should expect local authority budgets to go up too, because so much of the implementation of many of the national ambitions become the responsibility of local authorities.”

Bell responded by stating the Scottish Government provided additional funding last year of around £2.5m but added: “inflation eats all of that.”

He said: “It’s not filling me with confidence that he is going to be able to fund Glasgow City Council properly. I would like to know what his definition of ‘properly’ is.

“We as a council have to start looking at where we are getting money from.”