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Evaluation of Edinburgh residents' attitudes to the proposed road user charging scheme Braunholtz, Simon ; Cumming, Robert

By: Contributor(s): Publication details: Edinburgh Scottish Executive Social Research, 2006; MORI Scotland, Description: 65 sISBN:
  • 0755961013
Subject(s): Online resources: Abstract: Support across respondents in the survey for the proposed road charging scheme closely reflected the referendum result - a quarter of those with an opinion supported the road charging scheme, while three-quarters indicated they either did not support the underlying principle or objected to some details of the proposed scheme. There was no majority support among any sections of the community, although it was strongest among those who cycle at least once a week (43%), those who do not own a car (37%) and those who live in the city centre. In contrast, support was lowest among those who drive to work (13%), those living in the west (17%) and car owners generally (20%). Men were more likely to have supported the scheme than women. While women are less likely to use the car for journeys around Edinburgh, they are more likely to be reliant on it for some activities such as shopping and the school-run. Views also varied by age. Older residents were least likely to say they supported road charging, while younger residents, although not significantly more likely to declare outright for support the scheme, did at least express some support for the idea of congestion charging. Indeed, a significant minority of residents supported the idea, but not the details (18%). Common concerns included the location of the zones, doubts about the need for both cordons, lack of concessions for residents and those that need to drive around the city for work, a perception that it would result in a dispersal of traffic rather than reduction of traffic and concern about a lack of public transport alternatives.
Item type: Reports, conferences, monographs
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Support across respondents in the survey for the proposed road charging scheme closely reflected the referendum result - a quarter of those with an opinion supported the road charging scheme, while three-quarters indicated they either did not support the underlying principle or objected to some details of the proposed scheme. There was no majority support among any sections of the community, although it was strongest among those who cycle at least once a week (43%), those who do not own a car (37%) and those who live in the city centre. In contrast, support was lowest among those who drive to work (13%), those living in the west (17%) and car owners generally (20%). Men were more likely to have supported the scheme than women. While women are less likely to use the car for journeys around Edinburgh, they are more likely to be reliant on it for some activities such as shopping and the school-run. Views also varied by age. Older residents were least likely to say they supported road charging, while younger residents, although not significantly more likely to declare outright for support the scheme, did at least express some support for the idea of congestion charging. Indeed, a significant minority of residents supported the idea, but not the details (18%). Common concerns included the location of the zones, doubts about the need for both cordons, lack of concessions for residents and those that need to drive around the city for work, a perception that it would result in a dispersal of traffic rather than reduction of traffic and concern about a lack of public transport alternatives.