Dropped road-user charging powers promise branded 'ludicrous'
The Scottish Greens have condemned Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn’s decision to drop working on regulatory checks that would allow Councils to develop local policies for road user charging that are critical to tackling Scotland’s transport emissions.
The revelation that Flynn has dropped the plans that were promised by the SNP ahead of the Holyrood election has been branded “ludicrous” by the Scottish Greens, who say the Minister must reconsider if Scotland is to successfully reduce its transport emissions.
The party says that the Transport Secretary’s decision – which was revealed in a written answer to Parliament – will undermine current climate goals and delay encouraging motorists onto public transport.
The regulatory check was to allow Ministers to ensure that the existing local road user charging powers under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 are fit for purpose.
It is also understood that local authorities were given little notice that the decision was being made despite the promises made by the SNP ahead of the election.
Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie said:
“This is a ludicrous decision from Stephen Flynn that will put Scotland’s transport policy into reverse.
“Road user charging has been proven to reduce the number of cars on the road and transport emissions. It is one of the key ways that the Scottish Government can tackle one of the biggest areas of pollution, and can generate investment in affordable public transport.
“Now Ministers have kicked the can down the road on another critical issue that Scotland needs to get to grips with to tackle the climate crisis.”
Patrick added:
“It also flies in the face of the Scottish Government’s promises to give more powers to local government. Both Glasgow and Edinburgh councils have been asking for this, and instead the Transport Secretary has pulled the rug from under them.
“Stephen Flynn’s job description says he is responsible for reducing car miles and decarbonising transport. But he seems determined not only to avoid all responsibility nationally, but also to block action by local councils that want to take action for themselves.
“This car-brained Transport Secretary is locking Scotland in to more climate failure in the future. Stephen Flynn should reconsider his approach.”