Parking Levy welcome news for air pollution fight

Responding to the announcement that, following budget negotiations, a Workplace Parking Levy will be included in the Transport Bill, Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Air Pollution Campaigner Gavin Thomson said:

“It is welcome news that Councils will be given the powers to reduce the level of cars travelling into our towns and cities at peak times. This policy can be used to discourage car use whilst encouraging public transport use, with benefits for air pollution and climate emissions and so should be welcomed by all.”

“In most Scottish cities, a large proportion of people don’t have access to a car. Public transport users are disproportionately lower paid workers or those seeking employment, so finding funding mechanisms that improve the availability and accessibility of public transport begins to address the fundamental unfairness of our current transport system”.

“It was revealed this week, that 7 sites across Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee have air pollution levels that are breaking the law, and endangering the health the young, the old and those with existing health problems.”